Bonanza Megaways Slot Guide – How to Play, Free Spins, Tips & Big Wins

Complete Game Guide: Bonanza Megaways

Embark on a thrilling gold mining adventure with Bonanza Megaways, a groundbreaking slot game developed by Big Time Gaming. This game revolutionized the online slot world with its innovative Megaways engine, offering dynamic reels and an astounding number of ways to win. Get ready to dig for gold and discover the secrets of this highly popular and influential slot.

I. Game Overview

Bonanza Megaways is not just a slot; it’s an experience. Its unique reel structure and engaging bonus features have made it a standout title in the vast landscape of online casino games.

Theme: Gold mining, gemstones, Western, prospecting.
Provider: Big Time Gaming (BTG), the innovators behind the Megaways mechanic.
Release Date: December 2016.
Structure: 6 main vertical reels, plus an additional horizontal cart reel above reels 2, 3, 4, and 5.
Paylines/Ways to Win: Highly dynamic, ranging from 324 to an incredible 117,649 ways to win.
Volatility: Very High.

II. How to Play Bonanza Megaways

Playing Bonanza Megaways requires understanding its unique reel setup, but the core gameplay remains intuitive.

“What is Bonanza Megaways and how does it work?”Bonanza Megaways is an online slot game that utilizes Big Time Gaming’s proprietary Megaways engine. This engine randomizes the number of symbols that appear on each reel during every spin.
- How it Works: Each of the 6 main reels can display anywhere from 2 to 7 symbols on any given spin. The horizontal cart reel adds an extra symbol to reels 2, 3, 4, and 5. The total number of ways to win is calculated by multiplying the number of symbols on each reel (e.g., if Reel 1 has 5 symbols, Reel 2 has 4, etc., you multiply 5 x 4 x … to get the total ways). This dynamic reel setup is what allows for up to 117,649 ways to win.
“How many ways to win does Bonanza Megaways offer?”As explained above, Bonanza Megaways offers a highly variable number of ways to win, from a minimum of 324 ways (if all reels land 2 symbols) up to a staggering 117,649 ways (if all 6 main reels land 7 symbols and the carts add 4). The number of active ways to win is displayed prominently on the game screen during each spin.
Set Your Bet: You adjust your total bet using the stake buttons.
- “What’s the min/max bet range?”
  - Minimum Bet: Typically around £0.20 or $0.20.
  - Maximum Bet: Usually around £20 or $20.
  - Note: These values can vary slightly depending on the online casino.
Spin the Reels: Click the green “Spin” button to start your mining expedition. An “Autoplay” function is also available.
Form Winning Combinations: Wins are formed by landing matching symbols on adjacent reels from left to right, regardless of their position on the reel. The more symbols on a reel, the more ways to win, and potentially, the bigger the payout.
Symbols:
- Low-Value Symbols: Traditional playing card values (9, 10, J, Q, K, A).
- High-Value Symbols: Various colored gemstones (blue, red, green, purple). The purple diamond is the highest-paying symbol.
- Wild Symbol: A bundle of lit dynamite, which substitutes for all other symbols except Scatters.
- Scatter Symbols: The gold letters G, O, L, D.

III. Special Features and Bonuses

Bonanza Megaways is packed with exciting features that contribute to its high volatility and huge win potential.

1. Cascading Reels (Reactions)

“What are cascading reels and multipliers?”
- Cascading Reels (Reactions): This is a core mechanic. After any winning combination, the symbols involved in the win explode and disappear from the reels. New symbols then drop down from above (or slide in from the right on the cart reel) to fill the empty spaces. This allows for multiple consecutive wins from a single spin. Cascades continue as long as new winning combinations are formed.
- Multipliers: While cascading reels are present, Bonanza Megaways does not have increasing multipliers in the base game. The multipliers are a special feature reserved exclusively for the Free Spins round (see below).

2. Free Spins with Unlimited Multiplier

“How do you trigger free spins?”
- You trigger the Free Spins bonus round by landing four Scatter symbols spelling out the word G.O.L.D. anywhere on the reels. This awards 12 Free Spins.
- Any additional Scatter symbol beyond the initial four will award an extra 5 Free Spins.
Unlimited Win Multiplier: This is the most exciting and lucrative feature of Bonanza.
- During Free Spins, a win multiplier starts at x1 and increases by +1 with every consecutive cascading win (reaction). Crucially, this multiplier has no upper limit and does not reset between spins. This means it can grow infinitely large, leading to massive payouts on subsequent wins.
Free Spins Retrigger:
- During the Free Spins round, carts containing gold bar symbols can appear on the horizontal reel.
- Landing 3 gold bars awards an additional 5 Free Spins.
- Landing 4 gold bars awards an additional 10 Free Spins.

IV. Frequently Asked Questions

“What’s the RTP and volatility of Bonanza Megaways?”

RTP (Return to Player): The RTP of Bonanza Megaways is typically around 96.00%.
Volatility: It is known for its Very High volatility. This means that while wins may be less frequent, they have the potential to be extremely large, especially during the Free Spins round with the unlimited multiplier. Players should be prepared for significant fluctuations in their balance.

“Who created Megaways and is Bonanza the first title?”

The Megaways engine was created by Big Time Gaming (BTG), an Australian game developer.
No, Bonanza was not the very first Megaways title. The first game to feature the Megaways mechanic was actually Dragon Born, released by BTG in 2016, earlier in the year than Bonanza. However, Bonanza’s massive success significantly popularized the mechanic, leading to its widespread adoption and licensing by many other game providers.

“What’s the max win potential?”

The maximum win potential in Bonanza Megaways is truly astronomical for a non-jackpot slot. While BTG does not always publish a hard cap, wins of over 26,000 times the stake have been recorded, and some sources suggest theoretical wins could go as high as 10,000 to 120,000 times the stake in perfect conditions during the free spins with a huge multiplier.

“Can I play Bonanza Megaways on mobile and in demo mode?”

Mobile Play: Yes, absolutely! Bonanza Megaways is fully optimized for mobile devices. Big Time Gaming designed the game with HTML5 technology, ensuring it plays perfectly on:
- Smartphones (iOS, Android)
- Tablets
- The dynamic reels and features adapt well to smaller screens.
Demo Mode: Yes, most reputable online casinos offer a free demo version of Bonanza Megaways. Playing in demo mode is highly recommended to:
- Understand the unique Megaways mechanics and cascading reels without financial risk.
- Experience the Free Spins feature and how the unlimited multiplier works.
- Get a feel for the game’s high volatility before playing with real money.

“Where can I play it and are there bonuses?”

Where to Play: You can play Bonanza Megaways at virtually any reputable online casino that features games from Big Time Gaming. Given its immense popularity, it’s a staple in most casino game libraries.
Casino Bonuses: Many online casinos offer bonuses that can be used on slots like Bonanza Megaways. These often include:
- Welcome Bonuses: Matched deposits for new players (e.g., 100% match on your first deposit).
- Free Spins: Sometimes, casinos offer free spins as part of a promotion, though these are typically for specific games and less commonly for high-volatility Megaways slots.
- Reload Bonuses: Bonuses for existing players on subsequent deposits.
- Always read the terms and conditions (T&Cs) of any bonus carefully, especially regarding wagering requirements and game restrictions, as high-volatility slots sometimes have different contribution rates.

V. Key Takeaways and Strategy Tips

Embrace Volatility: Bonanza Megaways is a roller coaster. Be prepared for dry spells, but also for the thrilling potential of massive wins when the free spins hit and the multiplier climbs.
Bankroll Management: Due to its high volatility, it’s crucial to manage your bankroll carefully. Only bet what you can afford to lose, and consider smaller bet sizes to prolong your playtime, giving you more chances to trigger the bonus.
The Free Spins are Gold: The base game can offer decent wins, but the real treasure lies in the Free Spins round with its unlimited multiplier. This is where the game truly shines and offers its maximum payout potential.
Enjoy the Cascades: The cascading reels keep the gameplay dynamic and exciting, offering multiple chances for wins on a single spin.

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