how to play durak

HaC 2025

3 min read 18-03-2025

Durak, meaning "fool" in Russian, is a popular shedding-type card game. It's known for its strategic depth and engaging gameplay. This comprehensive guide will teach you how to play Durak, from basic rules to advanced strategies. Learn how to become a Durak master and outwit your opponents!

Getting Started: Durak Game Setup

What you'll need:

A standard 36-card deck (remove 6s, 7s, 8s, 9s)
2-6 players (more players make for a longer, more chaotic game!)

Dealing the Cards:

Shuffle the deck thoroughly.
Deal the cards one at a time, face down, to each player. The number of cards dealt depends on the number of players.
- 2 players: 6 cards each
- 3 players: 5 cards each
- 4 players: 4 cards each
- 5-6 players: 3 cards each
The remaining cards form the draw pile, placed face down in the center. The top card is flipped over to start the discard pile.

The Gameplay: Attacking and Defending

Durak is all about attacking and defending. The goal is to get rid of all your cards. The last player with cards remaining is the "Durak" (fool).

The Attack:

The player with the lowest trump card (if any trumps are in play, otherwise the lowest ranked card) starts the game. This player “attacks” by placing one or more cards face up onto the table, targeting another player. The value of the cards determines the number of cards you can play. You must place the same ranked card multiple times.

The Defense:

The targeted player must "defend" against the attack. To do this, they must play a card of equal or higher rank on each attacking card. The higher card then beats the lower card.

Trump Cards:

The trump suit holds significant power. A trump card always beats any non-trump card of the same rank, regardless of suit. For example, a trump 6 will beat any non-trump 10.

Additional Attacks:

If a player successfully defends against the attack, they can then “attack” back to a different player, adding more cards to the attack pile. There is no limitation on how many times this back-and-forth exchange can occur.

Drawing Cards:

If a player cannot defend against an attack, they must take all the cards in the attack pile into their hand. Then they draw from the draw pile until they have the same number of cards as at the beginning of the round.

Winning the Game: Becoming the Durak-less Wonder

The game continues until one player is left with no cards in their hand. This player wins, and the player(s) with cards left are the Duraks.

Advanced Strategies and Tips for Durak Mastery

Trump Management: Strategically using trump cards can be crucial for winning. Save your trumps for when you really need them.
Card Counting: Keeping track of which cards have been played can help predict your opponents' hands.
Attacking Wisely: Don't attack with all your best cards at once. Save some power for defense.
Defensive Tactics: Carefully defend against attacks. If you can, try to defend while leaving yourself strong cards for future attacks.
Knowing When to Pass: Don't be afraid to take cards if defense is impossible. It's better to take a few cards than to lose many.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can you attack multiple players at once?

A: No, in a standard game of Durak, you can only attack one player at a time.

Q: What happens if the draw pile runs out?

A: If the draw pile is exhausted, the game continues until one player has no cards.

Q: Can you defend with a trump card against a non-trump card?

A: Yes, a trump card always beats a non-trump card of the same rank.

Q: What if I can't defend?

A: If you cannot defend against an attack, you must pick up all the cards in the attack pile and then draw until you have your starting number of cards in hand.

Conclusion: Embrace the Fool

Durak is a fast-paced, strategic card game that provides hours of entertainment. Mastering its nuances requires practice and observation. But don’t be discouraged if you lose a few rounds – the fun is in the challenge! So grab a deck of cards, gather your friends, and prepare to become the ultimate Durak conqueror (or, at least, not the fool!).