Tools capable of improving the accuracy of decision feedback equalization (DFE) are described. The tools may adapt a DFE using a more-equal distribution of signals than those actually received. The tools may do so by disregarding, averaging, or weighting certain signals when adapting the DFE when those signals represent an unequal distribution of bit patterns. In one example, the tools detect and disregard some of the signals representing idle bit patterns that are received more often than other bit patterns. The tools may also or instead compensate for a bit pattern that is never or rarely received.