River
In poker, the term “River” refers to the fifth and final community card dealt in games like Texas Hold’em and Omaha. It’s the culmination of a hand, following the flop and turn rounds, and is often a decisive moment in the game. The river card completes the community cards, giving players their last opportunity to form the best possible hand using any combination of their hole cards and the shared cards on the table.
At this stage, strategic decisions become crucial. Players must decide whether to bet, call, raise, or fold based on their hand’s potential and their read on opponents. The river can turn a modest hand into a winner or shatter a seemingly strong position with an unexpected card. Understanding the river’s impact and reading the table effectively are essential skills for mastering poker strategy.