If you're new to poker, or just beginning to learn about card games in general, you might come across terms that sound unfamiliar at first. One of those terms is "the river". In many popular forms of poker played in the UK—especially Texas Hold’em and Omaha—the river plays a key role in how each hand unfolds.
This blog will explain what the river means in poker, how it works, where the name is thought to come from, and what it might mean for your gameplay. Whether you’re watching a poker game, or playing for the first time, understanding what the river is—and how it can impact decisions—can be a helpful step. We'll also take a look at what betting on the river could involve and what the odds are of completing specific hands when you reach that final card.
Poker is a game that involves decision-making, strategy, and an element of chance. There are no guarantees when it comes to outcomes, so this blog is designed to help you feel more informed before you take part.
What Is A River In Poker?
In poker, the "river" refers to the fifth and final community card that is dealt face-up during games like Texas Hold’em and Omaha. Community cards are shared cards placed in the centre of the table, which all players can use alongside their own cards (known as "hole cards") to form a five-card hand.
When the river card is placed on the table, it completes the set of five community cards. After this point, no more cards will be dealt in that hand. Players must now decide whether they want to place a final bet, check (which means to pass on betting), or fold (which means to stop playing that hand).
What makes the river important is that it’s the last card that can influence the hand. This means it can either strengthen what you're holding, or make no difference at all, depending on the cards already in play. After this stage, players reveal their hands, which is known as the “showdown”.
Why Is It Called The River In Poker?
The origin of the term "river" isn't fully confirmed, but several theories have been suggested over the years.
One widely shared idea is that the name comes from poker games played on riverboats in the 1800s, particularly in the United States along the Mississippi River. These boats hosted games where cheating was not uncommon. Some stories claim that players who were caught cheating during the deal—especially when dealing the final card—were thrown overboard into the river. This led to the last card being associated with the name "river".
Another suggestion is based more on the nature of the card itself. The river card has the potential to change everything in the game, which some people compare to the unpredictable flow of a river. It introduces a final piece of information that can shift the outcome, just as a river might suddenly change direction or depth.
Although no single explanation is officially recognised, the term has become standard in many types of poker around the world, including games played in UK casinos and card rooms.
How Do You Deal The River In Poker?
In most traditional poker formats, the way the river card is dealt follows a clear sequence.
After the first three community cards (called the "flop") and the fourth card (called the "turn") have been dealt and betting has taken place, the dealer will then deal the river.
Before placing the river card on the table, the dealer discards the top card of the deck by placing it face-down. This is known as "burning" a card and is done to help maintain fairness, reducing the chance that any player may have seen or marked the next card.
The next card is then placed face-up on the table. This is the river. At this point, all five community cards are visible to the players, and they can now use any combination of these with their hole cards to form a final five-card hand.
Once this card is dealt, a final round of betting takes place. After that, remaining players reveal their hands to determine the winner. The best hand wins the pot, but what counts as the “best” will depend on the specific hand rankings in use and the cards held by others.
Different poker formats can vary slightly in how the game flows, so it may be useful to understand the structure and betting rules of the version you’re playing.
Should You Bet On The River In Poker?
Whether to place a bet on the river is a decision that depends on what’s happened earlier in the hand, what you’re holding, and how your opponents have been playing.
For example, if you believe your hand is strong enough to beat others still in the game, placing a bet could potentially increase the amount you might win if they decide to call (match) your bet. On the other hand, if you’re unsure about how your cards compare, you may choose to check or fold instead.
Some players also consider what is known as “pot odds”. This is a way of comparing the size of the current pot, to the size of the bet you’d need to make. For example, if there is £100 in the pot and you need to call a £20 bet, the pot odds are 5 to 1. You might use this to help weigh up whether the risk of betting is worth it.
Player behaviour is another factor. If someone has been betting confidently throughout the hand, that could potentially indicate a strong hand—but it could also be a tactic to try and influence your decisions. These types of reading are part of what makes poker a game of skill and judgement, as well as chance.
As with all forms of poker, outcomes are uncertain. Even if your hand is statistically strong, there is still the possibility of being beaten by another player’s cards.
Odds Of Hitting a Straight On The River In Poker
A straight in poker is a five-card hand made up of cards in consecutive order, such as 6-7-8-9-10. The cards don’t have to be the same suit.
When playing Texas Hold’em, there might be times when you could be just one card away from completing a straight. For example, if you already have four consecutive cards between your two hole cards and the community cards, this is often referred to as an “open-ended straight draw”. That means there are two different card values that could complete the straight.
Let’s say you hold 5 and 6, and the community cards are 7, 8, and Queen. If either a 4 or a 9 appears, you’d complete a straight. In a standard 52-card deck, there are four of each card, so in this case, there would be eight possible cards left that could help you.
If you're going into the river with this kind of draw, the probability of hitting the straight is around 17.4%, or roughly 1 in 5.7. These figures can change slightly depending on the number of players in the game and the cards already seen.
Keep in mind, though, that even if you hit a straight, another player could still win if they form a higher-ranking hand, like a flush or full house. Poker involves both chance and decision-making, so there is no strategy that will produce consistent wins.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.