Before the river, everyone has a plan. After the river, everyone has a story.
The flop is where poker players become analysts.
The turn is where they become mathematicians.
The river is where they become victims.
Before the last card comes, everyone understands ranges, blockers, equity, and table image.
After the river, the analysis gets considerably simpler:
"How does he get there?"
That question has powered more poker conversations than electricity.
It implies that the other player made an error. That calling with 7-4 suited was somehow wrong, even though it resulted in a win.
It implies the universe made a mistake.
It implies the river personally targeted someone.
None of this is true.
The river is indifferent.
The genius theory, however, is eternal.