Durak
Durak is a Russian card game with a twist on winning: nobody collects tricks, and the only real loser is whoever ends up stuck with cards. That player is the durak, which means fool.
You can play against one, two or three computer opponents on Easy, Medium or Hard, or set up a same-device game and pass it around. The page runs in any modern browser tab, and messages along the way explain each play and why a card was refused.
How to play Durak
A short deck of 36 cards is used, from Six up to Ace. Each player is dealt six, and one more card is flipped face up under the stock to set trumps for the whole game. Whoever holds the lowest trump makes the first attack.
The attacker plays a card at the defender. To cover it, the defender needs a higher card of that suit or any trump. Other players can then throw in extra cards, but only ranks already showing on the table. No more than six attack cards go into one bout, and never more than the defender held at the start.
Beat every card and the pile is cleared, and the defender leads next. Fail, and the defender scoops up everything on the table and skips the next attack. Hands are topped back up to six after each bout while the stock lasts. Players who run out after the stock is empty are safe, and the last one with cards loses.
Controls
| Action | Keyboard | Mouse | Touch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attack, defend or add a card | — | Click a card in your hand | Tap a card in your hand |
| Pick up the table | — | Click Take the cards | Tap Take the cards |
| Stop adding cards | — | Click Pass | Tap Pass |
| Hand the attack on (optional rule) | — | Click Pass the attack on, then a matching card | Tap Pass the attack on, then a matching card |
| Set up a game | — | Pick mode, players, level and rules, then New game | Pick options, then New game |
Tips
- Spend your Sixes and Sevens early while you can still draw replacements. Strong cards are worth more once the stock is gone.
- Trumps are your safety net. Try not to use one to beat a low card when a plain higher card of the same suit would do.
- Holding two Nines? Lead one. After the defender covers it, you can throw the second one in and keep the pressure on.
- Picking up a small pile is sometimes the smart move. Taking three weak cards can be cheaper than burning your best trump.
- Remember the face-up trump under the stock. It will be the last card drawn, so you always know one trump still to come.
If you like Durak, try these
FreeCell SolitaireCard planning without luck: every card is face up and four spare cells give you room to think.
Spider SolitaireSolo card play awaits next, building eight same-suit runs across ten columns with two decks.
Questions
How do you win at Durak?
Strictly speaking, you avoid losing. Every player who gets rid of all their cards after the stock runs out is safe, and the last person still holding cards is the durak.
What does passing the attack mean in Durak?
It is an optional rule you can switch on before the game. A defender who holds a card of the same rank as the attack can add it and push the whole attack onto the next player.
Can Durak end in a draw?
Yes. If the last players empty their hands at the same moment, nobody is left holding cards and the game is a draw.
More like this: all board & card games · 2-player games · every game A–Z
