Minimum Defense Frequency (MDF) is a poker concept that tells you how often you need to continue (call or raise) against a bet to avoid being exploited by bluffs. It’s based on game theory and is often used when facing bets on the turn or river, where no more cards are coming.
If you fold too often, your opponent can profitably bluff every time. MDF sets a baseline for how often you should not fold, just to make sure you’re not being taken advantage of.
The basic formula is:
MDF = Pot / (Pot + Bet)
This gives you a percentage—the minimum rate at which you should defend to stay unexploitable. It doesn’t tell you what to call with, just how often you should call.
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