Megaball

Last update: December 7, 2005

Introduction

Megaball is a game found at Internet casinos using Playtech software. The game can be found under the Arcade Games menu.

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Rules

There are lots of bets available. After the player makes his bets the game will choose six balls from a pool numbered 1 to 48. The balls are also colored, 16 each of red, blue, and yellow.

Analysis

The jackpot bets requires the player to bet $1 and choose five numbers. If all five balls are drawn the player will win a progressive jackpot. The expected return is 3.5040507% for each $10,000 in the meter. The breakeven meter point is $285,384.00, in which it is exactly a fair bet. The probability of winning is 1 in 285384.

The color bets are 21 different bets. The player chooses red, blue, or yellow; as well as the exact number (0 to 6) of that color drawn. The following table shows the probability and winning for each total.

There are two cocktail bets available. The cocktail bet wins if all three colors are represented in the next draw. The double cocktail bet wins if exactly two of each color are represented in the next draw. The following table shows the probability of winning and return of both bets.

There are 51 sixth bets available. All are on the last number drawn. The player may bet on either the color or the exact number of the last ball drawn. The following table shows the probability of winning and return of both types of bets.

There are two steps bets available. The increase bet wins if each ball, starting with the second, is higher than the last ball. The decreasing bet is the opposite. The following table shows the probability of winning and return of both bets.

There are four numbers bets available. The player chooses one to four numbers. If all numbers chosen by the player are also drawn in the ball draw then the player wins. The following table shows the probability of winning and return according to the number of balls chosen.

There are just two First and Last bets. The player bets whether the first or last ball will be the higher of the two. The following table shows the probability of winning and return for both bets.

There are seven total bets. The player bets on the sum of the six balls drawn. The following table shows the probability of winning and return for all total bets.

Disclaimer

I was hired by Playtech to help design all of their Arcade Games. I was given permission by Playtech to publish this analysis.

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