River Rats Poker Club

Visiting River Rats Poker Club in Navasota was a welcome change from my usual poker trips to Austin or Houston. Located right on the path toward Houston, this brand-new club adds a much-needed local option—especially for someone like me coming from Hearne. Right off the bat, the club gives off a family-friendly, clean, and professional vibe, even though they’re still getting fully established. They’ll eventually have space for about eight tables, though currently two are up and running. It’s on the third floor of the building, so if stairs are an issue, that’s worth considering—but overall, it wasn’t a major inconvenience.

The atmosphere is welcoming, and the couple running it clearly cares about building a strong community. They’re just getting started, but you can feel the passion they have for making this club a proper home for poker enthusiasts.

One highlight is the flexibility: they offer regular tournaments, ranging from a $200 Tuesday freezeout to a free-entry Saturday game with add-ons, all structured with guaranteed prize pools. They also use a time-token system rather than taking a rake, which feels fair and transparent. Membership options are flexible, too—daily, monthly, or yearly, depending on how often you play.

I didn’t get a chance to try the restaurant downstairs, which looked fantastic, but there’s even a side door so you can skip the dining area if you prefer. Overall, it’s a comfortable, low-pressure place to focus on the game. I’m excited to see them grow into the full eight-table room. If you’re a poker fan anywhere near Navasota, it’s definitely worth a visit!

After reading the other reviews, I feel compelled to respond. I have known Josh, the dealer, for several years and have played at many tables where he was dealing. The review posted above appears personal in nature and does not seem fair to the poker room. In my opinion, comments like that should be removed from PokerAtlas, as they reflect more of a personal grievance than an objective review.

In all the time I have known Josh, I have never had a negative experience with him, either as a dealer or as a person. He conducts himself professionally at the table, maintains control of the game, and treats players with respect—exactly the qualities you want from someone running a poker table.

And of course, like any good dealer, he comes equipped with a steady supply of bad jokes, which tend to be part of the charm of the game.