MDF

MDF is an abbreviation that stands for “minimum defense frequency.” This is a technical poker strategy term that describes the percentage of the range that you need to continue with when facing a bet to protect your range and remain unexploitable.

The minimum defense frequency (MDF) is one of the core concepts in the GTO strategy.

You can calculate the MDF in any given spot using a fairly simple formula, which is:

• Pot size / (pot size + bet size)

For example, say there is $500 in the pot, and your opponent bets $350. Using the formula, we get $500 / ($500 + $350) = 0.58. We multiply this number by 100 to get the percentage and figure out that the MDF in this spot is 58%.

In other words, you should continue with 58% of your range in this particular spot by calling or raising to make your opponent’s bluffs ineffective.