Specs at a glance
The sources disagree more here than for other PG Soft games, so we've included every number. For background on PG Soft, read our slot providers guide.
| Mahjong Ways | Mahjong Ways 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | PG Soft | PG Soft |
| Release year | Not yet verified (conflicting: 2019 on Respinix, 2022 on BigWinBoard, 2023 on Casinos.com) | Not yet verified (conflicting: 2020 on Casinos.com, 2022 on BigWinBoard) |
| Grid and ways | 5 reels × 4 rows, 1,024 ways | 5 reels, 4-5-5-5-4 rows, 2,000 ways |
| RTP | 96.92% (same across 3 sources) | 96.95% (Casinos.com) or 97% (BigWinBoard) |
| Volatility | Medium | Medium |
| Max win | 25,000× (Respinix, Casinos.com) or 2,893× (BigWinBoard) | 1,708× (BigWinBoard, Casinos.com); BigWinBoard notes that another source claims 100,000× |
| Free spins | 3 scatters = 12 free spins; +2 for each extra scatter (Casinos.com) | 3 scatters = 10 free spins, with retrigger |
| Bonus buy | None, according to Casinos.com | None, according to Casinos.com |
When the max win figures are this far apart, the right move is to check the game's info screen on the site you play on. That's the version running for you.
How it pays: ways and cascades
Neither game has paylines; they use “ways”. You win when matching symbols land on three or more consecutive reels from the left, in any row.
- Cascades: winning symbols are removed and new ones drop from above. This keeps going as long as there are new wins, so a single spin can produce several wins.
- Mahjong Ways: 1,024 ways on an even 5×4 grid.
- Mahjong Ways 2: 2,000 ways because the middle three reels are taller (5 rows each).
If you're new to ways and cascades, read our slots guide first. There are more games in our slot games hub.
Features: golden symbols, multipliers, free spins
The two games share the same three core features, but the details differ.
- Golden symbols. Gold-plated symbols land on the middle reels. When they're part of a win, they turn wild after the cascade. In Mahjong Ways 2 free spins, according to BigWinBoard, all symbols on reels 2, 3 and 4 become gold-plated.
- Cascade multiplier. It climbs with each consecutive cascade and resets afterward. In Mahjong Ways, it's ×1, ×2, ×3, ×5 in the base game and ×2, ×4, ×6, ×10 in free spins (Casinos.com). In Mahjong Ways 2, ×1 to ×5 in the base game and ×2 to ×10 in free spins (BigWinBoard).
- Free spins. Three scatters trigger them in both. 12 spins in Mahjong Ways, 10 spins in Mahjong Ways 2, and both can retrigger.
RTP and volatility
The two have nearly the same RTP, about 96.9% to 97%, so the house edge is around 3% over the long run. Read our RTP guide for why the version can differ from site to site.
Example: a ₱1,000 budget at ₱5 per spin is 200 spins. At 96.92% RTP, the theoretical cost is about ₱30.80. At 96.95%, about ₱30.50. The gap is small; swings over 200 spins matter far more than a 0.03% difference.
All sources rate both games medium volatility. But since a big share of the value sits in free spins and long cascade chains, long stretches can be quiet. Match your bet to your budget with our volatility guide.
What's different between 1 and 2
Mahjong Ways 2 has a bigger grid, but that doesn't mean it has a higher ceiling.
| Mahjong Ways | Mahjong Ways 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Grid | 5×4, 1,024 ways | 4-5-5-5-4, 2,000 ways |
| Free spins | 12 (3 scatters) | 10 (3 scatters) |
| Free spins golden symbols | Normal golden symbols | All symbols on reels 2–4 are gold-plated (BigWinBoard) |
| Max win (according to sources) | 25,000× o 2,893× | 1,708× (another claim says 100,000×) |
In short: Mahjong Ways 2 has more ways and more golden symbols in free spins, but fewer free spins and, according to two sources, a lower max win.
Myths and common mistakes
Mahjong Ways is one of the games most targeted by “pola” (pattern) and “RTP live” groups. None of them have any basis.
- “A pattern of manual and turbo spins brings out scatters.” Turbo only changes the animation speed. Every spin is random.
- “Check the RTP live before you play.” Other players' short-term win rate doesn't predict your next spin.
- “2 has a bigger grid, so the wins are bigger.” No; two sources actually list a lower max win for Mahjong Ways 2.
- “Lots of golden symbols means free spins are close.” Scatters and golden symbols are separate, and every spin is independent.
Where to play legally
Only play Mahjong Ways and Mahjong Ways 2 on a PAGCOR-licensed site. Copies, "mod" APKs and Telegram links using the names of popular PG Soft games are spreading, and nobody protects your money there.
- Type the exact site address into our PAGCOR license checker before registering or depositing.
- Only deposit through the site's own cashier, never to an "agent's" personal GCash number. Read the safe GCash and Maya deposit guide for slots.
- According to Casinos.com, neither game has a bonus buy. Watch out for “Mahjong” clones not made by PG Soft.
If it's not fun anymore
If you're chasing losses or going over budget, stop for now. There are practical tips in our Laro Nang Tama guide.
Open 24/7. Free and confidential. Players and families can call.
FAQ
What is the RTP of Mahjong Ways and Mahjong Ways 2?
Mahjong Ways is 96.92% according to three sources. Mahjong Ways 2 is 96.95% according to Casinos.com and 97% according to BigWinBoard. Check the game's info screen on the site you play on.
Is Mahjong Ways high volatility?
All sources rate Mahjong Ways and Mahjong Ways 2 medium volatility. But a big share of the value sits in free spins and cascade multipliers, so long stretches can be quiet.
What is the difference between Mahjong Ways and Mahjong Ways 2?
Mahjong Ways is 5×4 with 1,024 ways and 12 free spins. Mahjong Ways 2 is 4-5-5-5-4 with 2,000 ways and 10 free spins, plus more golden symbols in free spins. Sources also list different max wins.
Is there a free demo of Mahjong Ways?
PG Soft games often have a demo or practice mode on licensed sites or the provider's website. We don't link to a demo here because we haven't verified the official link. If there's a demo, use it to understand the features, not to look for patterns.
Sources
- BigWinBoard, Mahjong Ways slot review (5×4, 1,024 ways; RTP 96.92%; medium volatility; 2,893× max win; 12 free spins; listed release: February 25, 2022)
- Casinos.com, Mahjong Ways slot review (1,024 ways; RTP 96.92%; medium volatility; 25,000× max win; multipliers ×1/×2/×3/×5 and ×2/×4/×6/×10; listed release: 04/12/2023)
- Respinix, Mahjong Ways demo and review (5×4, 1,024 ways; RTP 96.92%; medium volatility; 25,000× max win; listed release: 2019-12-04)
- BigWinBoard, Mahjong Ways 2 slot review (4-5-5-5-4, 2,000 ways; RTP 97%; medium volatility; 1,708× max win and a mention of conflicting 100,000× claims; 10 free spins; listed release: June 30, 2022)
- Casinos.com, Mahjong Ways 2 slot review (2,000 ways; RTP 96.95%; medium volatility; 1,708× max win; multipliers ×1/×2/×3/×5; listed release: 01/07/2020)
Kassandra Marcos is SugarFun's lead reviewer. She checks every site against PAGCOR's official list and writes our game and responsible gaming guides. How we test