Durak
Russia’s most popular card game. Attack and defend — the Fool (Durak) who’s left at the end loses.
What Is Durak?
Durak (‘Fool’ in Russian) is by far the most popular card game in Russia and post-Soviet countries. The goal isn’t to WIN — it’s to not be the last player with cards. The player who can’t get rid of their cards and is left holding them at the end is the Durak (the Fool), and is usually subject to various social penalties.
What You Need
- A 36-card deck: remove 2s through 5s, keeping 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, A in all four suits
- 2 to 6 players
Setup
- Deal 6 cards to each player.
- Flip the bottom card of the remaining deck to establish trump. Slide it partially under the deck so it’s visible.
- The player left of the dealer attacks first.
How to Play — Step by Step
Attack and Defense
The attacker plays one or more cards face-up in front of the defender. The defender must ‘beat’ each attacking card by playing a higher card of the same suit OR any trump card.
- Attacker plays one card to start.
- Defender plays a card on top of it to beat it.
- Attacker (and other players) may add more attacking cards IF they match the rank of ANY card already on the table.
- Defender must beat each attacking card. A defender cannot be attacked with more cards than they hold.
- The total attacking cards at once cannot exceed 6.
Successful Defense
If the defender beats all attacking cards, they discard all the played cards. The defender becomes the next attacker.
Failed Defense
If the defender can’t or won’t beat a card, they must pick up ALL cards on the table — attacking and defending. They do not attack next round; the attacker goes again.
Drawing Cards
After each attack (win or lose), all players draw back up to 6 cards from the stock, starting with the attacker, then others, then the defender. Once the stock is empty, no more drawing.
Winning
Players who empty their hand leave the game — they’re safe. The last player holding cards is the Durak.
Strategy Tips
- Preserve your trump cards — they’re your only defense against higher cards.
- Beat cards with the minimum necessary — don’t waste a high trump on a 6.
- Attack with cards you know the defender has in their suit — make them defend with their good cards.