To win consistently at Texas Holdem Poker or any poker for that matter it is very important to raise the pot when you’re first in. I’m not a big fan of constantly limping in, calling the big blind, when I’m the first player to put chips into the pot before or after the flop. It doesn’t mean that I never do it. But let me explain with five reasons why you should always raise the pot when you're first in:

Show Strength and Take Control

When you raise the pot when you’re first in you automatically take control. You show strength in your hand. You take over the power in that hand and your opponents will look to you to drive the betting for the rest of the hand. You are showing to your opponents that you fully expect to win the hand.

Get Rid of the Weak Hands

By raising when you’re first in many players will fold. Most players want to play as many hands as possible. Even if their starting hands are horrible. Therefore they will call the big blind often in hopes to see a cheap flop. Make them pay and they will fold. Thus eliminating your competition and increasing your odds of winning that hand. Remember you don’t want your opponents to get free cards that can beat you.

Steal Blinds and Pots

By acting first you’ll be able to steal a lot of blinds and pots. However, you only want to steal blinds when they’re worth stealing. Don’t worry about acting first and laying big bets and raising when the blinds are only 10/20. It’s not worth it. Save that strategy when the blinds get larger.

Get a Better Read on Your Opponents

Allow yourself early in a game to raise the pot when you’re first in to see what your opponents do. Too many players focus too much on simply winning the hand instead of what their opponents are doing. By getting a read on a player(s) you can set yourself up for bigger wins later on. Make it Difficult for Your Opponents to Get a Read on You When you mix up you betting and raising when you’re first in you can put your opponents on their heals. Bet big one time, small the next. With good hands and weak ones especially early on and they won’t know what you’re doing. Believe me. That’s a good thing. Rock on with these simply but very effective strategies and you’ll win a lot more when playing Texas Holdem Poker