What “117,649 ways” counts
In Bonanza Megaways, the number on screen describes possible symbol arrangements, not a promise of how often the game pays. The six reels can show different numbers of symbols on different spins. When all six show seven, there are 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 possible symbol paths: 117,649. A winning combination can form across adjacent reels in many positions, so the game does not rely on a fixed set of horizontal paylines.
That large count is a maximum. A spin with fewer symbols visible on one or more reels has fewer possible paths, and most paths do not produce a prize. The display makes the number of potential combinations easy to see; it does not tell you the odds or value of each one.
Where the return rate comes from
Return to player, or RTP, is a theoretical long-run share of wagers the game is designed to pay back. It follows from the underlying math: how likely each reel outcome is, which symbol combinations count as wins, how much each combination pays, and how bonus features affect results. The reel arrangement is part of that calculation, but the headline number of ways alone cannot reveal it.
A screen can therefore show thousands of possible paths while producing no win on a particular spin. RTP describes an average over a very large number of plays, not a forecast for one player or session. The striking figure measures how many arrangements can be considered—not how much the game will return.
