Buffalo King Megaways: How the Win System Works in a Popular Slot

Buffalo King Megaways is one of the most recognisable Megaways slots developed by Pragmatic Play. Its popularity is not based on visuals alone, but on a complex and well-balanced win system that combines variable reels, cascading symbols, and multiple bonus mechanics. Understanding how winnings are formed in this slot helps players realistically assess volatility, potential payouts, and gameplay behaviour.

Megaways mechanics and reel structure

The core of Buffalo King Megaways is its dynamic reel system. The slot uses six reels, where each reel can display between two and seven symbols per spin. Because of this variability, the number of possible win ways changes constantly, reaching up to 4,096 ways on any given spin. Wins are formed by matching identical symbols from left to right on adjacent reels, without fixed paylines.

Each spin recalculates the number of ways based on the visible symbols. This means that even identical symbol combinations may result in different payouts depending on reel height. The system rewards consistency across reels rather than precise positioning, which makes the gameplay feel less restrictive compared to traditional line-based slots.

From a technical standpoint, this structure increases hit frequency but also contributes to medium-to-high volatility. Smaller wins occur regularly, while larger payouts depend on full reel expansion combined with premium symbols or bonus features.

Cascading reels and win continuation

Once a winning combination appears, the involved symbols are removed from the reels. New symbols then fall into place from above, potentially forming additional wins. This cascading mechanic allows multiple payouts from a single spin without additional cost.

Each cascade is evaluated independently using the same Megaways logic. If new winning combinations appear, the process repeats until no further wins are possible. This mechanic increases overall engagement and slightly improves the effective return during active win sequences.

Importantly, multipliers are not applied during base game cascades. Their absence keeps standard spins relatively controlled, reserving higher win amplification for the bonus rounds.

Symbol values and payout calculation

Buffalo King Megaways features a mix of low-, medium-, and high-value symbols. Lower symbols typically represent card ranks, while premium symbols include animals such as wolves, eagles, cougars, and buffalo. Each symbol has its own payout table, scaled according to the number of matching symbols across consecutive reels.

Payouts are calculated by multiplying the symbol value by the total bet amount. Because the slot does not use paylines, the number of matching symbols is more important than their exact position. Maximum symbol payouts are only achieved when combinations stretch across all six reels.

The buffalo symbol stands out as the highest-paying regular symbol. When six buffalo symbols land across fully expanded reels, the payout can reach a significant multiple of the stake, especially during free spins where multipliers apply.

Wild symbols and substitution rules

Wild symbols substitute for all regular symbols except scatters. Their primary role is to help complete winning combinations across multiple reels. Wilds appear only on reels two to five, which aligns with standard Megaways design principles.

Although wilds do not carry their own multiplier in the base game, they significantly improve the probability of full-reel combinations. Their strategic placement can transform partial symbol chains into complete six-reel wins.

During free spins, wilds become even more influential due to increasing multipliers. This interaction between wild substitution and bonus multipliers is a key driver behind the slot’s highest payouts.

Free spins feature and multipliers

The free spins round is the main source of large wins in Buffalo King Megaways. It is triggered by landing three or more scatter symbols anywhere on the reels. The number of awarded spins depends on the number of scatters, with additional scatters during the feature granting retriggers.

At the start of free spins, a global win multiplier is set at x2. This multiplier increases by one after every cascading win, without resetting between spins. As a result, extended win sequences can produce rapidly escalating payouts.

The free spins mode also uses fully expanded reels more frequently, increasing the chance of reaching the maximum number of win ways. Combined with multipliers, this creates the highest potential returns in the game.

Maximum win potential and volatility

The theoretical maximum win in Buffalo King Megaways is capped at 5,000 times the stake. Achieving this requires a combination of full-reel premium symbols, multiple cascades, and a high multiplier during free spins.

Volatility is best described as medium to high. While base game wins occur often, they tend to be modest. The slot’s payout profile is heavily weighted towards bonus rounds, where variance increases significantly.

From a practical perspective, this win system suits players who prefer longer sessions with the possibility of occasional high-impact wins rather than frequent large payouts. Understanding this balance is essential for managing bankroll expectations.