Durak Card Game

Durak is the classic Russian card game of attack and defence. The name means "fool", and that is what the loser is called: the last player still holding cards once the deck has run out.

How to play Durak Card Game

• A 36-card deck is used: 6 up to ace in each suit, aces high. Each player gets six cards. The next card is turned face up and placed under the stock: its suit is trump for the whole game, and it is the last card to be drawn.
• The player with the lowest trump attacks first by playing any card face up.
• The defender must beat each attacking card with a higher card of the same suit, or with any trump if the attacking card is not a trump. A trump can only be beaten by a higher trump.
• After each beat, the attacker may throw in another card of any rank already on the table (attacking or defending cards). An attack can hold at most six cards (five in the very first attack), and never more than the defender can cover.
• If the defender cannot or will not beat a card, they take it: the attacker may still throw in more matching cards, then the defender picks up everything on the table and the attacker attacks again.
• If every card is beaten and the attacker is done, the cards are discarded and the defender becomes the next attacker.
• After each attack, both players draw back up to six cards from the stock, attacker first.
• Once the stock is empty, players simply try to get rid of their cards. The first to run out is safe; the player left holding cards is the durak. If both run out on the same attack, it is a draw.

Controls

• Tap or click a card to attack, throw in or beat the highlighted card. Cards you cannot play are dimmed.
• Press Take cards (or the T key) to pick up the table, and Done (or D) to finish your attack.
• Choose an easy or normal computer opponent from the toolbar.

Tips

• Attack with low, non-trump cards early. Save your trumps for defending and for the endgame.
• Pairs are powerful: attacking with one 7 and then throwing in the other 7 forces the defender to beat both.
• Taking a couple of low cards early in the game is often better than burning a high trump to beat them.
• Keep track of which trumps have been played. Late in the game, a trump that cannot be beaten is a safe final attack.

FAQ

How do you play Durak?

Each player has six cards and a trump suit is turned up. The attacker plays a card, the defender beats it with a higher card of the same suit or a trump, and the attacker can throw in more cards of matching ranks. Defend everything or pick it all up. Draw back to six after each attack. Do not be the last player with cards.

What does durak mean?

Durak is Russian for "fool". The loser of the game is the durak.

Can I beat a trump with a non-trump card?

No. A trump card can only be beaten by a higher trump.

How many cards can be played in one attack?

Up to six, and never more than the defender has cards to cover them. The very first attack of the game is limited to five cards.

Who attacks first in Durak?

The player holding the lowest trump card. After that, a successful defender becomes the next attacker, while a player who had to take the cards is attacked again.