Put pressure on your opponents by taking the initiative

When you browse through books about poker tips, instructional videos and online forums, you can often come across the terms taking the initiative and initiative. To keep you excited on the topic, this is as important as your table position.

The dictionary defines the term as an introductory step. In poker, taking the initiative simply means making the last aggressive move during the betting round, which is either raising or betting. In a nutshell, you are checking or calling to end the action. This is commonly done before a flop. But this can also be done at turns or rivers. There is no initiative if there are no raises before a flop. The most aggressive player is the one taking the initiative on the flop. But it could be possible that different players at different levels will have the initiative. It does not remain in just one player throughout the match and can easily transfer from one person to another, depending on who is showing the most aggression at every betting round.

Taking the initiative lets you take the lead ahead of the flop. Your opponents will linger first and check your moves before making theirs. An added benefit is looking strong in the eyes of other players. You can also pressure them to make hard decisions when you are taking the initiative. Its advantages should never be underestimated.

There really is no 1-2-3 step of when to take initiative. The reason for the effectiveness of continuation bets is the initiative. It also makes relative position at Texas Hold'Em so important. Although it could be unbelievable, this is as closely important as your position in the table. Even if you don't hear about initiatives in poker strategy, it is part of being aggressive in order to win. You have the initiative when you are aggressive and do more raises than calls. This way, you are endowing yourself with additional advantage when you reach the flop.