The Dog House Megaways
The Dog House Megaways from Pragmatic Play combines adorable canine charm with the explosive Megaways mechanic. With up to 117,649 ways to win and sticky wilds with multipliers, this pokie has become a firm favourite among New Zealand players seeking big win potential.
Play Dog HouseFrom Original to Megaways
The original Dog House slot launched in 2019 and quickly became one of Pragmatic Play's most popular titles. The Megaways version, released in 2020, takes everything players loved about the original and amplifies it with Big Time Gaming's revolutionary reel modifier. Each spin can produce anywhere from 324 to 117,649 ways to win.
The game's appeal lies in its charming visuals and straightforward yet thrilling gameplay. Cartoon dogs of various breeds—bulldogs, pugs, and dachshunds—inhabit colourful doghouses against a backyard setting. It's lighthearted fun with serious winning potential.
Game Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer | Pragmatic Play |
| Release Date | October 2020 |
| Reels × Rows | 6 × 2-7 |
| Ways to Win | Up to 117,649 |
| RTP | 96.55% |
| Volatility | High |
| Max Win | 12,305x bet |
| Min Bet | $0.20 |
Understanding Megaways
The Megaways mechanic works by randomising the number of symbols appearing on each reel with every spin. Each of the six reels can display between 2 and 7 symbols. To calculate the total ways to win, multiply the symbols on each reel together. When all reels show 7 symbols, you get the maximum 117,649 ways.
Wins are formed by matching symbols on adjacent reels from left to right, regardless of position. This creates significantly more winning opportunities compared to traditional payline-based pokies.
The Dog House Family
Due to overwhelming popularity, Pragmatic Play has expanded The Dog House into a full series. Each version offers unique features while maintaining the beloved theme:
| Version | Key Feature | RTP |
|---|---|---|
| The Dog House | Original 20 paylines | 96.51% |
| Dog House Megaways | 117,649 ways | 96.55% |
| Dog House Multihold | 4 game grids | 96.49% |
| Dog House Dice Show | Live game show format | 96.50% |
Sticky Wilds with Multipliers
The wild symbol—a cartoon paw print—is the key to massive wins. During free spins, any wild that lands stays locked in position for the entire bonus round. Better still, each sticky wild carries a random multiplier of 2x or 3x. When multiple wilds contribute to a win, their multipliers are multiplied together.
Landing three or more wilds with 3x multipliers can result in combined multipliers of 27x, 81x, or even higher. Combined with the Megaways mechanic and a full screen of ways, this creates genuinely life-changing win potential.
Wild Multiplier Combinations
| Wilds | Min Multiplier | Max Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Wilds | 4x | 9x |
| 3 Wilds | 8x | 27x |
| 4 Wilds | 16x | 81x |
| 5 Wilds | 32x | 243x |
Free Spins Mechanics
Landing three, four, five, or six scatter symbols (doghouses) triggers 7, 12, 17, or 22 free spins respectively. The bonus round is where The Dog House truly shines, thanks to the sticky wild feature. Players can retrigger additional spins by landing more scatters during the bonus.
The Ante Bet feature increases your stake by 25% but doubles your chance of triggering free spins. For those who prefer instant action, the bonus buy option lets you purchase direct entry to the free spins round for 100x your stake.
RTP and Variance Analysis
RTP Comparison: Dog House Variants
Symbol Payouts
The Dog House Megaways features six regular symbols and several special symbols. Payouts are based on your bet and the number of matching symbols:
| Symbol | 3 Matches | 4 Matches | 5-6 Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doberman | 0.75x | 2.5x | 10-50x |
| Pug | 0.5x | 1.5x | 7.5-25x |
| Dachshund | 0.3x | 0.75x | 3.5-15x |
| Shih Tzu | 0.25x | 0.5x | 2.5-10x |
| A/K | 0.2x | 0.4x | 2-7.5x |
| Q/J/10 | 0.1x | 0.25x | 1-4x |
Strategy Tips for NZ Players
While no strategy guarantees wins on any pokie, these tips can help you get the most from The Dog House Megaways:
Consider your bankroll before using the Ante Bet. The 25% premium does improve bonus frequency, but over long sessions, the extra cost adds up. Some players prefer the standard mode for extended play time.
The bonus buy at 100x stake provides instant access to free spins but doesn't guarantee better returns than triggering naturally. Use it for entertainment rather than as a profit strategy.
High volatility means you should expect significant variance in results. Set loss limits before playing and stick to them. The potential for big wins is real, but so is the potential for extended losing streaks.
Frequently Asked Questions
The maximum win is capped at 12,305x your stake. This typically requires a full screen of high-paying symbols combined with multiple sticky wilds carrying 3x multipliers during free spins.
Both versions have their merits. The Megaways version offers higher max win potential and more dynamic gameplay. The original has lower volatility and may suit players who prefer steadier sessions. RTP is nearly identical between versions.
Absolutely. The Dog House Megaways is built using HTML5 technology and runs smoothly on all modern smartphones and tablets. The interface automatically adjusts for smaller screens.
The free spins bonus typically triggers approximately once every 250-300 spins in standard mode. With Ante Bet active, this frequency roughly doubles, though individual sessions can vary significantly.
High volatility indicates that wins are less frequent but tend to be larger when they occur. You'll experience more ups and downs compared to low volatility games, requiring a larger bankroll and patience to weather dry spells.
