Megaways and Hold and Win Slot Games Explained
You must not be aware of Megaways slots if you haven’t heard about them during the last few years. You must be new to online slots, or you’ve somehow missed all the recent developments. The popularity explosion of Megaways slots has reached astonishing levels.
Megaways slots feature a high number of paylines that surpass any existing slot games. The reels change shape and size to create over 100,000 possible winning combinations. Also in vogue are the highly popular hold-and-win slot games. Hold-and-win and similar hold-and-spin slot games represent the evolution of the classic re-spin slot games. If you’re new to both slot genres, this guide takes you from A to Z.
What Are Megaways Slot Games?
The concept of the modern-day Megaways slot games came from Big Time Gaming in 2016 before being acquired by Evolution. This slot format gained popularity because of its distinctive reel structure and multiple winning paths, which distinguish it from other games. However, the roots for Megaways slots come from the incredible success of Gonzo’s Quest.
Released by NetEnt in 2012, Gonzo’s Quest was one of the first online slots for real money to feature the avalanche feature. The concept of the avalanche feature is to increase the winning multiplier as you keep winning and expand the number of reels.
Megaways slots feature a changing number of symbols on each reel during every spin, which results in varying ways to win. Standard Megaways slots provide up to 117,649 possible winning combinations, yet certain games exceed this number. The new mechanism revolutionized slot game design by delivering an ever-changing reel structure together with better chances of winning.
BTG provides licensing permission for this mechanic to multiple game providers, including Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Playson, and Relax Gaming. The Megaways system can be found in slot games from different developers who each apply their own distinctive style to the game feature.
How do Megaways Slots Work?
Megaways slots feature dynamic reels where the number of symbols shown on each reel varies with each spin, instead of having a set number of symbols like traditional slot machines. Each reel in a Megaways slot machine displays 2 to 7 symbols.
You determine Megaways or “ways to win” by multiplying the number of symbols each reel displays together. When each of the six reels shows seven symbols, the maximum Megaways total reaches 117,649, calculated by multiplying seven symbols across all six reels.
Players earn wins by landing symbols that match across adjacent reels, beginning with the reel on the far left. Symbols positioned on neighboring reels form winning combinations while their vertical position remains irrelevant.
Gamblers can expect high volatility when playing Megaways slot games. Although wins rarely happen in Megaways games, they result in major payouts, particularly when multiplied bonuses are triggered.
Many Megaways slots feature cascading reels. Winning symbols fall from the reels after a successful combination, while new symbols drop into the empty spaces, which can create additional winning combinations. The process continues until no additional winning combinations appear.
Megaway slots tend to feature numerous bonus elements within their gameplay. Regular features of these games consist of free spin opportunities and unlimited win multipliers alongside mystery symbols with options to play bonus features.
What Are Hold-and-Win Slots?
Hold-and-win slots have transformed casino gaming by merging classic slot features with modern elements that deliver excitement along with rewards. One of the top slot game variations, hold-and-win, delivers an engaging gaming experience with the chance to win big rewards.
A category of online slot games known as hold-and-win slots delivers a unique gameplay characteristic. These games extend beyond typical slot functions where matching symbols determine wins. These games feature a unique bonus round that distinguishes them from typical slots. These slot games may go by different names depending on who developed them, including titles like hold-and-spin and hold-and-link.
How Do Hold-and-Win Slots Work?
This feature allows players to turn the reels in pursuit of matching a set number of special symbols, which generally appear as coins or bonus icons. The hold-and-win bonus round starts when the necessary quantity of symbols appears in one spin.
The activating symbols maintain their spots while the game initiates multiple responses. These respins allow players to gather additional special symbols, which remain fixed in place.
The bonus round ends after all respin opportunities are exhausted without new special symbols appearing or when every reel position contains one. The cumulative value of the collected symbols determines players’ bonus prizes, and some games provide additional rewards, including jackpots or multipliers.
The Importance of Free Spins with Hold-and-Win Slots
As players have more control of the reels with hold-and-win slot games, they can also trigger bonus rounds like free spins. This is the perfect time to max out the wins with the free spin games. By holding bonus symbols in the bonus spins feature, the winning multiplier for the hold-and-win slot games continues to increase.
Another winning feature of hold-and-win slot games is the expanded wild symbols. Usually, the wild symbol in a special bonus feature turns into a colossal wild symbol as you trigger re-spins.
Conclusion
Thanks to the increased role of AI, new gaming and slot variations keep popping up. Top game developers like IGT, Pragmatic Play, and Microgaming continue to capitalize on AI to create more personalized game experiences. This is also apparent with the new themes for hold-and-win and Megaways slot games.
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