Durak

Durak is the most popular card game in Russia, and its name means “fool”. There is no winner, only a loser: the last player still holding cards. Play this Durak card game free in your browser, with no download, against one to three computer players, in the classic Podkidnoy (throw-in) version or in Perevodnoy, where the attack can be passed along.

How to play Durak

The game uses a 36-card deck: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace in each suit. Ace is high. Everyone plays for themselves.

• The deal: everyone gets 6 cards. The next card is turned face up and its suit is trumps for the whole game. It lies under the stock, so it is the last card drawn.
• Who starts: in the first game, the player holding the lowest trump attacks first. After that, the fool from the last game deals, and the player on the fool’s left attacks first.
• Attack: the attacker leads any card against the player on their left, the defender. You may lead several cards of one rank.
• Defense: the defender beats each attack card with a higher card of the same suit, or with any trump. A trump can only be beaten by a higher trump.
• Throwing in: once the cards are beaten, the attacker, and then the other players in turn, may throw in more cards of any rank already on the table. A bout never holds more than 6 attack cards, or more than the defender held when the bout began.
• Taking: if the defender can’t or won’t beat a card, they press Take. The others can still throw in matching cards, then the defender picks up the whole table and the attack passes to the player on their left.
• Beaten: if every card is beaten and nobody adds more, the cards are discarded and the defender attacks next.
• Drawing: after each bout everyone draws back up to 6, attacker first and defender last. Once the stock is gone, a player who runs out of cards is safe. The last player with cards is the durak. If the last two run out together, the game is a draw.

Legal cards glow green. Press Rules at any time for the full rules.

Options

• Perevodnoy (passing) Durak: before beating any card, the defender can add a card of the same rank to pass the attack to the next player. You can only pass if that player holds enough cards to beat the whole attack.
• Swap the 6 of trumps: off by default. When it’s on, a player who was dealt or drew the 6 of trumps can swap it for the turned-up trump while the stock lasts. A 6 you picked up from the table can’t be swapped.
• Opponents and skill: play against 1 to 3 computer players. Easy players pick cards at random. Smart players defend cheaply, save big trumps and throw in low cards.

Strategy tips

• Save your trumps. Early on, beat with cards of the same suit when you can.
• Lead low cards in pairs. Leading two 7s at once gets rid of both. In Perevodnoy it also makes the attack harder to pass, because the next player must hold enough cards to beat them.
• Taking isn’t always bad. Picking up a few low cards early can be better than spending an Ace of trumps.
• Watch the ranks on the table. Every card you beat with becomes a rank the attackers can throw in. Beating a 7 with a 9 invites more 9s.
• Count the trumps. There are only 9 of them. Once the stock is gone, knowing which are left tells you if your big cards are safe.

FAQ

Is this Durak game free?

Yes. It’s free to play with no account and no install.

What does durak mean?

Durak is the Russian word for fool. The player left holding cards at the end of the game is the durak.

What is the difference between Podkidnoy and Perevodnoy Durak?

Podkidnoy means “throw-in”: players add cards of matching ranks to the attack. Perevodnoy means “passing” or “transfer”: on top of the throw-in rules, the defender can pass the attack on to the next player by adding a card of the same rank.

Are my stats saved?

Yes. Games played, times you stayed safe, times you were the fool and your best safe streak are saved in your browser, separately for each rule set, along with your options.

Like quick card games? Try Crazy Eights, another shedding game where you race to empty your hand, or the simple luck of War.