The river card is the final card turned over in the middle of the table and can often be the difference between an average hand and a very good one.

If more than one player is still around at this stage of the game, this is the last chance a card can improve their hands. Following this, they will have to reveal what they have and the player with the best five cards will win the pot.

It can be very frustrating in poker (even if you’re just playing through your free casino bonus) when you are leading after every round in the game bar the river card, which has been used to transform your opponent’s hand into a winning one to deny you. However, do be careful not to let this allow you to lose your head. It is worth remembering that there will be occasions where the exact same situation will work in your favour. Generally, luck like this usually evens out at the end of the year.

Sometimes it is hard to keep your cool though when your opponent went into the middle with absolutely nothing but gets a big turn of fortune from the final couple of cards. For example, you may call someone who shouts all in because you believe they are bluffing. They could have 53 and you have AA. When you see their hand you will feel you are onto a winner, especially if you get past the first three cards in the middle. But then if your opponents flops a 5 on the turn card and then another 5 on the river, they would beat you from nowhere with three-of-a-kind. Regardless of how much experience you have in the game, this is always hard to take.