Ways to win meaning: a slot system that pays for matching symbols on adjacent reels, starting from the left, in any row position, instead of on fixed paylines. The number of ways is every possible left-to-right route through the grid, so a 5-reel, 3-row game has 243 and a Megaways game can reach 117,649.
This system replaces fixed paylines: a symbol counts wherever it lands on a reel, as long as the reels are adjacent from the left.
Multiply the positions on each reel to get the count: 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 = 243.
Several copies of a symbol on one reel multiply the number of winning ways.
More ways does not mean a higher return; many ways wins are smaller than the stake.
Definition
Pays for matches on adjacent reels in any row
Formula
Multiply symbols per reel
5 × 3 grid
243 ways
Megaways maximum
Up to 117,649 on 6 reels of up to 7
Examples
Immortal Romance 243; Bonanza Megaways up to 117,649
Ways to win meaning: no fixed lines
On a payline slot, symbols must land on a set route. A ways-to-win slot drops the routes: a symbol on reel 1 links up with the same symbol anywhere on reel 2, then anywhere on reel 3, and so on. Three or more adjacent reels with the symbol, starting from the leftmost, form a win. The "number of ways" is simply how many distinct left-to-right paths exist through the grid.
You may also see the system called "all ways", "243 ways" or by a studio brand name. Megaways, the mechanic Big Time Gaming is known for, is the best-known variable version, covered on our megaways slots page.
How the number of ways is calculated
Multiply the number of symbol positions on each reel. Every position on reel 1 can join every position on reel 2, and so on, which is where the large figures come from.
Ways counts for common grid shapes
Grid
Calculation
Ways
5 reels × 3 rows
3 × 3 × 3 × 3 × 3
243
5 reels × 4 rows
4 × 4 × 4 × 4 × 4
1,024
6 reels × 2 rows (smallest Megaways spin)
2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2
64
6 reels × 7 rows (largest Megaways spin)
7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7
117,649
Megaways games change the rows on each reel every spin, so the count changes too. Bonanza Megaways and Extra Chilli list up to 117,649 ways; Rainbow Riches Megaways lists 324 to 117,649 because of its extra top row; Buffalo King Megaways lists up to 200,704 on its own layout. Figures come from the games' published information, and the help screen is the final word.
How a ways win is counted and paid
When a symbol appears more than once on a reel, each copy creates another way. Multiply the copies on each reel in the run to find how many ways have paid.
Reel 1 shows the crown symbol twice.
Reel 2 shows it once.
Reel 3 shows it twice; reel 4 has none, so the run stops at three reels.
Ways paid: 2 × 1 × 2 = 4 ways of three crowns.
If three crowns pay 0.25x the total bet per way, the win is 4 × 0.25 = 1x the bet: £1 back on a £1 spin.
The 0.25x figure is illustrative; each game's paytable shows its own values and whether prizes are quoted against the total bet. Our guide to how to read a slot paytable explains the layouts.
A wild on a middle reel can join several routes at once, which is why wilds matter so much in ways games.
Ways to win and wins smaller than your stake
Because so many routes can pay, ways games often return part of the stake: 60p back on a £1 spin, for example. That counts as a win on screen but is a net loss of 40p. Since 31 October 2021, the Gambling Commission's rules have stopped slots celebrating a return equal to or below the stake with win sounds or animations, and the session's net position must be visible. The Commission's summary of the RTS changes (opens in a new tab) lists the rule, and the full remote technical standards (opens in a new tab) are published online. See our losses disguised as wins ban and net position display rule pages.
Ways-to-win slots in UK lobbies
Published ways counts and figures for well-known games
Slot
Studio
Ways
RTP
Volatility
Immortal Romance
Games Global
243
96.86%
Medium-high
Thunderstruck II
Games Global
243
96.65%
Medium
Bonanza Megaways
Big Time Gaming
Up to 117,649
96.00%
High
Extra Chilli
Big Time Gaming
Up to 117,649
Up to 96.82%
High
Buffalo King Megaways
Pragmatic Play
Up to 200,704
96.52%
High
Notice that a huge ways count sits alongside an RTP similar to that of a 10-line game. The count describes how wins form, not how much the game returns. Volatility and RTP tell you that.
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Coral's 100 spins (after a £10 slots bet) are on selected slots and PlayOJO's 80 spins (with a £10 first deposit) are on Big Bass Bonanza, a payline game; both are 10p a spin. 18+, terms apply; checked 5 October 2026.
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Read the Coral reviewLicence: LC International Limited, UKGC account 54743. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
Significant terms: 18+. New UK customers (excluding Northern Ireland). First deposit only. Minimum deposit £10. 80 free spins on Big Bass Bonanza, £0.10 each. No wagering requirements; winnings paid in cash. Cannot be used with any other offer. Only available to players who arrive through the designated offer link. Full T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read the PlayOJO reviewLicence: Skill On Net Limited, UKGC account 39326. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
18+. Gambling should be entertainment that costs money, not a way to make it. Set a deposit limit before you play: how to set deposit limits. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.
Frequently asked questions
What does ways to win mean in slots?
It means the slot pays for matching symbols on adjacent reels from the left, in any row, rather than on fixed paylines. The number of ways is the count of all possible left-to-right paths, found by multiplying the positions on each reel. A 5 × 3 game therefore has 243 ways. Our payline entry explains the older system, and the slot features explained guide covers how ways mechanics combine with other features.
What does 243 ways to win mean?
It means a 5-reel game with 3 rows where any symbol position on one reel can connect with any position on the next. Three positions on each of five reels gives 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 = 243 routes. You do not choose or pay for ways separately; your stake covers them all. Immortal Romance and Thunderstruck II both use 243 ways. See our online slots page for how the games work and video slots for the wider category.
Are more ways to win better?
Not in terms of return; the RTP decides that, and a 117,649-way game can have a similar RTP to a 10-line game. More ways usually means wins land more often but many are small, often below the stake. High ways counts also tend to come with high volatility. Choose based on how you like a game to play, within a budget. Read is it better to play slots with high or low volatility and what is a good RTP.
How do Megaways reach 117,649 ways?
Megaways games have 6 reels whose height changes every spin, from 2 to 7 symbols. Multiplying the symbols on each reel gives the ways for that spin, so the maximum is 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 = 117,649 and the minimum is 64. Some games add an extra row or reel to go higher. Our megaways slots page explains the mechanic, and the Big Time Gaming profile covers the studio behind it.
Why do I win but my balance goes down on ways slots?
Because many ways wins return less than you staked, which leaves you with a net loss even though the game shows a win. A 60p return on a £1 spin is a 40p loss. UK rules since 31 October 2021 stop slots celebrating these results and require your net position to be shown during a session. Check that figure rather than the win counter. See our losses disguised as wins ban and net position display rule pages.
Do ways-to-win slots have paylines at all?
No; ways games replace paylines entirely, so you will not see lines drawn on the help screen. Instead the help screen explains that wins pay on adjacent reels from the leftmost, in any position. A few games pay ways in both directions, which the rules will state. Scatters still pay anywhere, as on payline games. Read the scatter entry and our guide to reading casino game help screens to check how a specific game counts wins.
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