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Indifference Principle
At equilibrium, bluff frequency makes caller indifferent to calling or folding.
What is Indifference Principle?
' In GTO play, the bettor constructs their bluffing range to make the caller indifferent to calling or folding.
Why it matters
The indifference principle states: at equilibrium, any hand played as a mixed strategy must have equal EV for all actions taken with it. This tells us something important: if you're bluffing at the right frequency, your opponent's decision to call or fold is irrelevant to your EV.
Their choice only affects theirs.
Nuance and caveats
Indifference drives the derivation of both alpha and MDF. The bettor's bluff frequency makes the caller indifferent to calling/folding.
The caller's call frequency makes the bettor indifferent to bluffing/checking. Both players simultaneously making each other indifferent is Nash Equilibrium.
Identifying which hands are at the margin of indifference helps calibrate calling ranges and bluff frequencies in practice.
Key takeaway
At equilibrium, bluff frequency makes caller indifferent to calling or folding.
Frequently asked questions
What is the indifference principle in poker?
Indifference means 'it doesn't matter which action I take — they both have the same outcome.' In GTO play, the bettor constructs their bluffing range to make the caller indifferent to calling or folding.
Why does the indifference principle matter?
The indifference principle states: at equilibrium, any hand played as a mixed strategy must have equal EV for all actions taken with it.
Related
Concepts, lessons and tools that build on this page.
- ConceptNash Equilibrium (GTO)GTO strategy — unexploitable, maximally exploiting any deviation.
- ConceptMinimum Defense Frequency (MDF)Minimum Defense Frequency — how often to defend vs a bet to prevent auto-profitable bluffs.
- LessonEquilibrium LabThe full reasoning chain, in one sitting.
- LessonMake Them IndifferentYour opponent's strategy is what makes your mix correct.
- ModuleGame Theory FoundationsUnderstand what it means to build a strategy that cannot be easily exploited.
- LessonHow Much Must You Defend?Deriving Alpha and MDF instead of memorizing them.
Source: Definition, explanation, formula and examples are quoted from the StackedPoker poker-theory concept registry (lib/theory/concepts.json).