How Megaways works
The number of ways for a given configuration is calculated by multiplying the visible symbol positions on each reel.
🐾 Megaways Calculator
Multiply the visible symbol positions on each reel.
The Dog House Megaways by Pragmatic Play uses a six-reel Megaways layout, with each reel displaying between two and seven symbols. When all six reels show seven symbols, the game reaches its maximum of 117,649 ways to win.
This guide explains how the Megaways mechanic works, how the number of ways is calculated, how winning combinations are formed and what the 117,649 figure actually means.
What Is Megaways?
Megaways is a slot mechanic developed by Big Time Gaming (BTG) and licensed to other game providers. Its defining feature is a variable number of symbols on each reel.
In a traditional slot, the reel layout usually stays the same. A game might have five reels and three rows, giving players a fixed grid of 15 visible symbol positions.
In a Megaways slot, the number of visible symbols on each reel can change with every spin. One reel might show two symbols, while another displays six or seven. The resulting grid is different from spin to spin.
Because each visible symbol can connect with matching symbols on adjacent reels, the number of possible combinations changes as the reel heights change.
How Megaways Works in The Dog House Megaways
The Dog House Megaways uses six reels. Each reel can display between two and seven symbols on a spin.
The game calculates the number of possible ways to win by multiplying the number of visible symbols on all six reels.
For example, if the reels display:
- Reel 1: 4 symbols
- Reel 2: 5 symbols
- Reel 3: 3 symbols
- Reel 4: 6 symbols
- Reel 5: 4 symbols
- Reel 6: 2 symbols
The number of ways for that particular spin is:
4 × 5 × 3 × 6 × 4 × 2 = 2,880 ways
This calculation is repeated whenever the reels generate a new configuration. The number displayed by the game therefore changes between spins.
Why Does The Dog House Megaways Have 117,649 Ways to Win?
The maximum number of ways is reached when all six reels display seven symbols.
The calculation is:
7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 = 117,649
This is the maximum possible reel configuration in The Dog House Megaways. It does not mean that every spin has 117,649 ways. The actual number depends on how many symbols appear on each reel.
Minimum and maximum ways
| Reel configuration | Calculation | Ways to win |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum: 2 symbols on every reel | 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 | 64 |
| Maximum: 7 symbols on every reel | 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 | 117,649 |
The minimum and maximum figures describe the possible configurations of the six reels. Most individual spins will have a combination of different reel heights.
How Do Ways to Win Work?
Megaways does not use traditional fixed paylines. Instead, wins are formed by matching symbols on consecutive reels, starting from the leftmost reel.
In The Dog House Megaways, a winning combination must begin on reel 1 and continue across adjacent reels. Matching symbols can appear in any visible position on each reel. Their vertical positions do not have to line up.
For example, a combination can be formed when:
- A matching symbol appears in any position on reel 1.
- The same symbol appears somewhere on reel 2.
- It also appears on reel 3, continuing across consecutive reels.
The game checks all possible left-to-right combinations created by the visible symbols. Winning combinations are evaluated according to the game’s paytable.
Do symbols need to be on the same horizontal line?
No. This is one of the main differences between Megaways and traditional paylines. Matching symbols can occupy different vertical positions on adjacent reels. They only need to form a valid consecutive combination from left to right.
How Many Matching Symbols Are Needed?
The Dog House Megaways pays for matching symbols across three, four, five or six consecutive reels, starting from the leftmost reel.
The number of matching symbols required depends on the paytable. A combination of three matching symbols can qualify for a payout, while longer combinations generally have different listed values.
Not every symbol has the same payout. Premium dog symbols, lower-value animal symbols and card symbols have different paytable values. The exact payout is determined by the symbol and the number of consecutive reels it occupies.
Megaways vs Traditional Paylines
Traditional slots and Megaways slots use different systems to calculate winning combinations. The difference is not simply the number of symbols on screen, but how the game evaluates matching symbols.
| Feature | Traditional slot | The Dog House Megaways |
|---|---|---|
| Reel layout | Usually fixed | Changes between spins |
| Number of reels | Depends on the game | 6 |
| Symbols per reel | Usually fixed | 2–7 |
| Win calculation | Fixed paylines or another game-specific system | Adjacent matching symbols from left to right |
| Number of ways | Depends on the game’s design | Up to 117,649 |
| Symbol positions | Must follow the payline pattern | Can be in different vertical positions |
What Role Do Wild Symbols Play?
Wild symbols are particularly important in The Dog House Megaways because they can substitute for regular paying symbols and carry multipliers.
In the base game, Wilds appear on reels 2, 3, 4 and 5. Each Wild has a random multiplier of either 2x or 3x.
When multiple multiplier Wilds contribute to the same winning combination, their multipliers are multiplied together.
For example:
- One 2x Wild contributes a 2x multiplier.
- A 2x Wild and a 3x Wild produce a combined 6x multiplier.
- Two 3x Wilds produce a combined 9x multiplier.
Wilds do not replace Scatter symbols. Their multiplier only applies when they are part of a winning combination.
For more details, see our The Dog House Megaways bonus features guide, which explains how Wilds work during both Free Spins modes.
Does More Megaways Mean More Chances to Win?
A higher number of ways means that more symbol combinations are evaluated on that particular spin. However, it does not mean that a win is guaranteed or that every additional way has the same probability of producing a payout.
The number of ways describes the possible symbol paths created by the reel configuration. The chance of a winning result also depends on the symbols generated, their distribution and the game’s mathematical design.
For this reason, 117,649 ways should not be interpreted as 117,649 independent chances to win or as a guarantee of a larger payout.
Does Megaways Increase RTP?
No. Megaways is a reel and winning-combination mechanic. It does not automatically give a slot a higher Return to Player percentage.
The theoretical RTP is determined by the mathematical model of the individual game. Different Megaways slots can have different RTP values, even when they use the same basic reel mechanic.
The published RTP for the standard version of The Dog House Megaways is 96.55%. However, casinos may offer different RTP configurations. The value shown in the game’s information or rules screen is the one to check for the version being played.
Does The Dog House Megaways Have Cascading Reels?
No. The Dog House Megaways does not use a cascading or tumbling-reels mechanic in its standard base game.
With cascading slots, winning symbols are removed after a payout and replaced by new symbols, potentially creating additional wins in the same spin. The Dog House Megaways instead evaluates the combinations created by the reel configuration for each spin.
Its main features are the changing Megaways reel heights, multiplier Wilds and the two Free Spins modes.
Is 117,649 the Maximum Number of Ways on Every Spin?
No. It is the maximum possible number of ways when all six reels display seven symbols. Other reel configurations produce lower totals.
The number of ways changes from spin to spin, depending on the number of visible symbols on each reel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Megaways mean?
Megaways is a slot mechanic in which the number of symbols displayed on each reel can change between spins. The number of possible winning combinations is calculated by multiplying the visible symbol positions across the reels.
Who created Megaways?
Megaways was developed by Big Time Gaming (BTG). Pragmatic Play uses the mechanic under licence in The Dog House Megaways.
How many reels does The Dog House Megaways have?
The game has six reels. Each reel can display between two and seven symbols.
What is the maximum number of ways to win?
The maximum is 117,649 ways, calculated as seven symbols on each of the six reels: 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7.
What is the minimum number of ways?
The minimum configuration has two symbols on each of the six reels, producing 64 ways: 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2.
Do Megaways slots have paylines?
The Dog House Megaways does not use traditional fixed paylines. It evaluates matching symbols on consecutive reels from left to right, regardless of their vertical positions.
Do symbols have to line up horizontally?
No. Matching symbols can appear in different vertical positions on adjacent reels. They must form a valid consecutive combination starting from the leftmost reel.
Does a higher number of ways guarantee a win?
No. The number of ways shows how many possible symbol paths are evaluated. It does not guarantee that matching symbols will appear or that a spin will produce a payout.
Does Megaways mean a higher RTP?
No. RTP is determined by the individual game’s mathematical model. The Megaways mechanic does not automatically increase a game’s theoretical return to player.
Final Thoughts
Megaways gives The Dog House Megaways a changing reel structure in which the number of possible winning combinations varies on every spin. With six reels and between two and seven symbols per reel, the game can generate anywhere from 64 to 117,649 ways to win.
The key to understanding the mechanic is the multiplication of reel heights. Matching symbols can appear in different vertical positions, but winning combinations must connect across consecutive reels from left to right.
The 117,649 figure represents the maximum configuration, not a guaranteed number of winning chances. Understanding this distinction makes it easier to interpret the game’s interface and its results.
Play responsibly. Slot games are intended for adults of legal gambling age. Set limits before playing, never wager money you cannot afford to lose and remember that every spin is an independent random outcome.