Cytech Software Review

Introduction

Cytech (sometimes referred to as Aqua Online) resembles Microgaming software in many ways. The selection of games, game rules, method of payment, and even account numbers resemble those of Microgaming. Both real and fun modes are available, although a separate account is required for each. The game play is fast, clear, and user friendly. Following are the specific game rules and some strategy tips. Withdrawal fees can vary by casino.

The only casinos to use Cytech software that I am aware of are Columbuscasino.com, Luckliner.com, and junglepalacecasino.com

Be warned not to play Red Dog at any Cytech casino because they do not follow the correct rules, much to the casino's advantage.

Baccarat

One deck of cards is used. With one deck the house edge on the banker is as follows according to the bet made:

• Banker: 1.01%
• Player: 1.29%
• Tie: 15.75%

Battle Royale

This is another name for Casino War. A single deck of cards is used. The proper strategy is to go to war on ties, resulting in a house edge of 2.42%.

Blackjack

Normally Aqua Online rules are the same as those of Microgaming, but blackjack is an exception. Following are the Aqua Online rules at the Geisha Lounge for the single hand game.

• Six decks
• Dealer stands on soft 17
• Double on 9 to 11 only (including soft 19 and 20)
• Double after split allowed
• No resplitting
• Player may not draw to split aces
• No surrender
• Dealer peeks for blackjack (full U.S. rule)
• Betting limits: $1-$500 in single hand game, $5-$500 per hand in multi-hand game.

Following is the correct basic strategy for these rules.

The house edge under these rules is 0.56%.

There is also a multi-hand game in which the player may play up to three hands. I believe the rules for the multi-hand game are the same as the single hand game, except the dealer hits a soft 17. This results in a house edge of 0.78%. The mutli-hand game offers a $1 progressive side bet. The paytable for the side bet is as follows.

The house edge on the side bet is 52.99% less 2.56% for each $10,000 in the progressive meter. If the meter ever exceeds $207,287.85 the odds will swing to the player's advantage. When I did this review on December 15, 2001 the meter was at $5832 for a house edge of 51.50%.

Craps

The player may bet up to 2 times a line bet on the odds, including on the don't side. If the player takes the maximum odds when he can the combined house edge on the pass and come bets is 0.61%. On the don't pass and don't come bets it is 0.58%. Winnings are nicely rounded to the nearest penny. The minimum bet is $1.

Keno

Aqua Online offers the same keno paytable as Microgaming, which is one of the more generous keno paytables on the Internet. The only difference is Aqua Online removed the pick 1 and pick 2, which had the lowest two returns anyway. The best odds are on the pick 13. Following is the expected return according to the number of picks.

Caribbean Poker

As you can probably guess this is the same thing as conventional Caribbean Stud Poker. There are two versions available, with and without a progressive $1 side bet. On both versions the rules and paytable are the same as in Caribbean Stud Poker, for a house edge of 5.22%. The betting limits are $1-$500.

The side bet pays $50 for a flush, $75 for a full house, and $100 for a four of a kind. The house edge is 76.96% less 2.92% for each $10,000 in the progressive meter. For the odds to swing in the player's favor the meter would need to pass $263,205. On December 15, 2001, when I did this review the meter was at $66740 for a house edge of 57.45%.

Red Dog

If you play Red Dog I urge you not to play at an Aqua Online casino. Unlike the conventional rules which pay increased odds for spreads of 3 or less, at Aqua casinos the original bet always only pays even money. Only the raise pays more than 1 to 1 on spreads of 3 or less, which you shouldn't raise on anyway. A single deck of cards is used. The result of Aqua Online paying even money on the original bet increases the house edge from the normal 3.16% to 15.80% (ouch!).

Here is an e-mail one Cytech casino sent a player after he complained about being paid 1 to 1 on a 4 to 1 spread.

Hello Israel,

Account number: fll--------

This e-mail is in reply to your Red Dog Poker Payout Query.

Kindly be advised that your Red Dog Poker game of 2-1 spread, King.Hearts - 10.Diamonds, with Jack.Hearts result, has been reviewed and the results of the payout are as follows.

Your Bet of $100.00 (Ante) was paid at 1-1 as due, however no Raise was placed, hence no extra payout was given.

As per the help file, the Bet (Ante) pays 1-1 on wins, the Raise pays out as per the spread, however should no Raise be

placed, but merely a Call, only the original Bet (Ante) will be paid out to or lost as per the 3rd card.

We do hope that the above information has assisted in regards to this query, and shall be of assistance for all future Red Dog Poker games.

Should you require any additional information or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us again.

Best regards,
Eran
Games Review Department______

Roulette

A single zero wheel is used. The house edge is 2.70%.

Sic Bo

Aqua Online offers comparitively poor Sic Bo odds compared to most of their competition. Of five brands studied Aqua Online came in fourth. Especially unforgivable is paying only 8 to 1 on a double, the usual payoff is 10 or 11 to 1. See my Sic Bo online section for a comparison to other software brands. The following table shows the payoff and house edge for all bets.

The lowest house edge bets are on big and small bets, at 2.78%.

Video Poker

The games and paytables are the same as those of Microgaming, except Aqua Online added a double joker game. The following table shows the return of each game with optimal strategy.

The following tables display the pertinent statistics for Aqua Online's video poker games.