Poker

River

Definition

The fifth and final community card in Texas Hold'em, dealt after the turn betting round. Also called 'fifth street.' No more cards to come, so hand values are final. River decisions are often for the largest bets.

The river is the fifth and final community card in Texas Hold'em, dealt after the turn betting round. With all five community cards now revealed, hand values are final and there are no more cards to come. River decisions are often for the largest bets because players have maximum information.

River strategy differs from earlier streets because there is no more drawing. Every hand has its final value, and decisions come down to value betting (betting for calls from worse hands) and bluffing (betting to force better hands to fold). The river is where the biggest pots are won and lost.

Making correct river decisions, especially regarding thin value bets and well-timed bluffs, separates good players from great ones. The ability to accurately assess whether your hand is ahead or behind at this final stage, and to size your bets appropriately, is a core skill in no-limit hold'em.

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Related Terms

Flop

The first three community cards dealt face-up simultaneously in Texas Hold'em and Omaha. The flop dramatically changes hand equities and is where the most critical post-flop decisions are made.

Turn

The fourth community card in Texas Hold'em, dealt after the flop betting round. Also called 'fourth street.' The turn narrows hand possibilities and often increases bet sizes.

Community Cards

Shared cards dealt face-up in the center of the table that all players use to make their hands. In Texas Hold'em, five community cards are dealt in three stages: flop (3), turn (1), and river (1).

Showdown

The point after all betting rounds where remaining players reveal their hands to determine the winner. The best five-card hand wins the pot. If only one player remains (all others folded), there is no showdown.