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Read Full BioCluster Pays and Megaways are two of the most popular slot mechanics you will find at any online casino. In this guide, we detail the differences between them and examine payout potential, volatility, and overall player experience. Discover how each system works, find out the finest examples, and decide which one is worth taking for a spin.
Key Beats
- Megaways typically offer the highest theoretical maximum wins, up to 50,000x, while Cluster Pays delivers steadier, chain-reaction-style wins.
- Cluster Pays tends toward low-to-medium volatility, while Megaways leans toward medium-to-high volatility, making bankroll management key
- Cluster Pays feels like puzzle play, Megaways is all about explosive, unpredictable thrills.
Cluster Pays vs. Megaways: An Introduction
In the world of online slots, few debates spark as much passion as Cluster Pays vs. Megaways. Both these payline mechanics were introduced in the mid-2010s, shaking up the industry and redefining what a winning spin looks like.
Cluster Pays slots ditch old-fashioned rigid paylines in favor of symbol clusters; players win when matching symbols group together. Megaways, on the other hand, rips up the reel rulebook by offering players up to 117,649 ways to win with every spin – adding dynamic reel sizes and endless variety to the mix.
Historical Concept
Both the Megaways slot mechanics and the Cluster Pays slot mechanics were developed around the same time and work exclusively in the digital domain. This has led to obvious comparisons and talk of potential rivalry. The truth is, though, that there is more than enough room for both game mechanics to operate successfully.
The concept of Cluster Pays was first introduced by NetEnt in 2016 with the iconic Hawaiian slot Aloha! Cluster Pays. It was one of the earliest mainstream games to swap traditional paylines for adjacent symbol clusters.
Meanwhile, Megaways were developed by Big Time Gaming in 2015, and the idea debuted with the slot Dragon Born. However, it was Bonanza Megaways (2016) that cemented Megaways as a dominant mechanic.
Since their launch, Cluster Pays slots and Megaways slots have been dominant forces in the industry. Both styles have evolved into core slot mechanics across multiple studios.
Interestingly, Big Time Gaming trademarked their concept; it’s a protected licensed brand. Cluster Pays, on the other hand, can be adopted by any studio without a license.
Cluster Pays Slot Mechanics
Cluster Pays slots have no fixed paylines. Instead of needing symbols to line up from left to right or right to left, wins are awarded when matching symbols group together, usually in clusters of five or more.
These clusters can appear anywhere on the reels – making every spin feel wide open.
Most Cluster Pays titles also use an ‘avalanche’ or ‘cascade’ format. When you hit a winning cluster, it disappears, and new symbols tumble in to replace the empty slots. This can trigger new wins and start a chain reaction, sometimes snowballing into massive success.
It’s thrilling, compelling, and exciting – exactly what fans of the genre buy into.
- Wins are created by groups of adjacent matching symbols rather than fixed paylines.
- Most games require a minimum cluster size and feature cascading ‘Avalanche-style’ wins.
- Well-known Cluster Pays slots include Reactoonz and Aloha! Cluster Pays.
Popular Cluster Pays Slots
| Slot Game | Developer | RTP | Max Win |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jammin’ Jars | Push Gaming | 96.83% | 19,998.5x |
| Reactoonz | Play’n GO | 96.51% | 4,570x |
| Aloha! Cluster Pays | NetEnt | 96.42% | 20,000x |
| Jammin’ Jars 2 | Push Gaming | 96.40% | 50,000x |
| Cluster Tumble | Relax Gaming | 96.40% | 20,000x |
Megaways Slot Mechanics
Megaways slots, first pioneered by Big Time Gaming, are the perfect example of a next-generation slot, exploiting the digital medium to perfection. With every spin, each reel can display between 2 and 7 different-sized symbols – impossible on a mechanical slot machine.
With so many symbols, the increase in potential paylines is exponential. At its maximum configuration – six reels, each with seven symbols – there are 117,649 possible winning combinations.
That’s a lot of ‘ways to win’ and the key to the success of the format.
What makes Megaways special is its clever dynamic recalculation. Every spin feels fresh, with paylines expanding or contracting depending on reel height.
Add in frequent cascade mechanics, as well as feature-packed free spins rounds, and you’ve got the formula for a modern slot sensation.
- Wins are formed by dynamic reel setups, generating thousands of ways with every spin.
- Reel heights change frequently, creating up to 117,649 possible winning combinations.
- Iconic Megaways slots include Bonanza Megaways and Extra Chilli Megaways.
Popular Megaways Slots
| Slot Game | Developer | RTP | Max Win |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonanza Megaways | Big Time Gaming | 96.00% | 26,000x |
| Extra Chilli Megaways | Big Time Gaming | 96.82% | 20,000x |
| Gonzo’s Quest Megaways | Red Tiger | 96.00% | 21,000x |
| Divine Fortune Megaways | NetEnt | 96.09% | 4,502x |
| White Rabbit Megaways | Big Time Gaming | 97.77% | 13,000x |
Difference Between Cluster Pays and Megaways Payout Structures
When it comes to the difference between Cluster Pays and Megaways payout structures, there are several key things to understand.
| Metric | Cluster Pays (avg.) | Megaways (avg.) |
|---|---|---|
| Payouts | Deliver steadier, smaller wins | Built for explosive swings and massive potential jackpots |
| RTP Range | 96.4% – 96.8% | 96.0% – 97.0% |
| Volatility | Low to Medium | Medium to High |
| Hit Frequency | 28–35% | 20–25% |
| Max Win Potential | 20,000x stake (avg.) | 50,000x+ stake (avg.) |
| Best-Selling Titles | Reactoonz, Jammin’ Jars | Bonanza, Extra Chilli |
In the long run, the RTPs for both types of slot are identical, which means the theoretical long-term returns are basically the same.
Don’t forget: there are literally 1000s of these types of slots available online. They all have their own unique RTP and volatility range.
Megaways vs. Cluster Pays: Player Engagement & UX
Beyond the math and the mechanics, there are some fundamental differences between the two types of game.
Cluster Pays
With their grid layouts and chain reactions, Cluster Pays slots resemble puzzle games. Each cascade feels like you are completing a jigsaw or clearing a board.
Colorful, cartoonish visuals (see Reactoonz or Aloha! Cluster Pays) keep things light. The gameplay is easy to follow. The games definitely feel different from typical slots with reels.
Megaways
These games work reel to reel. Players can still enjoy the anticipation of seeing each reel come to a gradual stop.
They thrive on unpredictability. When seven symbols land on the first two reels, you can expect a win. After all, there are 117,649 ‘ways to win’. Undoubtedly, one of those is going to hit.
From a betting perspective, there is little difference between the two formats, with almost identical RTPs and flexible betting options.
But the experience differs. Cluster Pays have a steady, sedate, measured vibe, whereas Megaways always feel volatile and explosive.
Are Megaways Slots Better Than Cluster Pays?
The answer depends less on the math and more on what kind of player you are:
- 🎰 If you’re chasing raw max-win potential, Megaways is the winner. Titles like White Rabbit Megaways and Extra Chilli can hit multipliers of up to 50,000x. Most Cluster Pays games don’t get close.
- 🎰 Cluster Pays is smoother, serene, and more forgiving. The games offer puzzle-like cascades, with playful designs, that suit longer sessions. Megaways is more volatile and ideal for thrill-seekers.
- 🎰 New or risk-averse players tend to prefer Cluster Pays. Experienced players prefer the intensity of Megaways.
Conclusion
Slots have undergone dramatic transformations over the decades, from the mechanical one-armed bandits of the early 20th century to electromechanical cabinets in the 1960s, and finally to video screen slots that dominated casinos in the 1980s and 1990s.
Today, they’ve evolved into online games, where mechanics like Cluster Pays and Megaways represent the latest stage in their development.
Whichever game mechanic suits you, remember to enjoy your time playing online slots responsibly.
FAQs
The difference is that Cluster Pays rewards adjacent groups of symbols on a grid while Megaways uses dynamic reels to create up to 117,649 paylines per spin.
Cluster Pays slots usually have higher hit frequency, making wins feel more frequent. Megaways pay less often but can hit far bigger jackpots.
Both average around 96 to 97% RTP. The difference lies more in volatility and win distribution than in RTP itself.
Generally, no. Cluster Pays is often low-to-medium volatility, while Megaways leans medium-to-high.
Cluster Pays pays more often in smaller bursts. Megaways pays less frequently but can deliver much larger prizes when it does hit.
