MDF Calculator: Defense and Bluff Frequencies
Enter the pot and your opponent’s bet to get minimum defense frequency (MDF), the fold rate that makes a bluff break even (alpha) and the balanced bluff share of a betting range.
Overview & Practical Guide
Free poker MDF (minimum defense frequency) calculator: how much of your range to defend against a bet, the folds a bluff needs and the balanced bluff-to-value ratio.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is MDF in poker?
MDF (Minimum Defense Frequency) is the share of your range you must continue with against a bet so the opponent cannot profit from bluffing with any two cards. Formula: MDF = pot / (pot + bet). Against a half-pot bet MDF is 67%, against a pot-size bet it is 50%.
How is MDF different from pot odds?
Pot odds tell you the equity one hand needs to call profitably. MDF looks at the whole range: how much of it must defend. They are linked but answer different questions: "is this call profitable" versus "how many hands can I not fold".
How many bluffs belong in a betting range?
For a balanced river range the bluff share is bet / (pot + 2 × bet). A pot-size bet means 33% bluffs and 67% value hands; a half-pot bet means 25% bluffs.
Should I always defend at MDF?
No. MDF is a guide against an opponent who bluffs too often. If the opponent almost never bluffs, you should fold more. The formula helps you avoid being exploitable and shows what balance looks like.
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