Driver’s Seat
The driver's seat belongs to the player who has the initiative in the betting.
The simple explanation
A player is in the driver's seat when he is making the betting decisions: he bet or raised earlier and the others are reacting. If you are told 'I'll check to you; you're in the driver's seat', it means you have been the aggressor in the hand.
A closer look
The phrase is used after the draw in draw games, or on a late round in stud or hold'em. It describes the player who bet large in a no-limit game, raised earlier, or bet every earlier round. Holding the initiative lets a player decide how big the pot becomes and gives them chances to bluff.
A practical example
Player A raised before the flop and bet on the flop and the turn. On the river Player B checks and says, 'You're in the driver's seat.'
Full explanation
The driver’s seat belongs to the player who has the initiative in the betting.
A player in the driver’s seat is the one taking the initiative in all the betting. The phrase is used when somebody checks to the aggressor.
It happens late in a hand, in draw games after the draw, and in stud or hold’em on later rounds.
The player in the driver’s seat can choose how much to bet. The other player reacts.
The opposite is being the caller, who only responds to bets.
Alternative spelling: Drivers Seat