Durak Card game is a popular card game originating in Russia, dating back to the 19th century. Hence, this game is added to one of the elite classic games which is still an entertaining get-together game for families and friends.
Durak essentially means a fool or a loser, and therefore, if you lose the game, you will be called a Durak. Sounds interesting? In this blog, we will learn how to play Durak and familiarize ourselves with the rules and strategies for winning.
Durak Card Game Overview
Durak is a Russian card game played with a total of 52 cards, starting from 6 number cards to Ace. The lowest card is 6 in the game, and the highest card is the Ace in the deck. The Durak Russian card game can be played with 2 to 6 players at a time, making it more suitable to play with families and friends, especially during a get-together or family functions.
Understanding the opponent’s game is as important as knowing the Durak card game rules, gameplay, and strategies. But how? That’s what we will learn here.
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Durak Card Game Rules
The Durak rules are easy to understand and implement in the game. Here are the basic rules you must know before playing the game:
- Durak is played with 36 cards with no Joker.
- The objective is to get rid of all cards before other players in the game.
- The last player with cards left in the game is declared a Durak or fool in the game. Durak is the loser in the game.
- The 6-numbered card is the lowest-ranking card in the game, and the Ace is the highest-ranking card in all suits.
- Players can also make two teams, three teams, and four teams in the game, with varying members in each type.
- No cards numbered from 2 to 5 are used in the game, especially in games having 2-4 players.
- The maximum player in the game can be 6, and the least number of players in the game is 2.
- Cards are ranked from lowest to highest: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace.
- Each player is dealt with six cards one at a time while dealing in a clockwise order.
- The dealing in the Durak Russian Card starts from the dealer’s left side.
- After the dealing, the next card is revealed face-up as the trump suit in the game.
- The remaining cards are kept on the top of the face-up card, hiding it halfway so as to keep it partially visible to every player in the game.
- The suit of the face-up revealed card is the trump suit of the game.
- A player with the lowest trump card in the hand begins the game by being the first attacker.
- If no player has a trump card, the dealer gets to choose the starting player in the game. In some scenarios, the cards are dealt with again based on a shared decision.
- The game advances based on turns where one player attacks and the other player defends. The roles shift after each turn depending on whether the defender defends their chance.
- Each player can attack continuously for a maximum of 6 number of times.
- The Defender can use a trump card only when the attacker uses a non-trump card in attacking.
- If the defender is unable to defend their turn, then they must pick up all attacking cards, including their cards.
- Apart from the two defending and attack players, other players can participate in the game with cards of the same rank as those already on the table.
- The total number of cards on the table must not exceed the total number of cards in the defender’s hand.
- The game progresses in a clockwise direction. If the defender fails to defend their turn, then the next player in the clockwise order i,e, sitting on the left side of the current defender, gets the next turn to attack in the game.
- The last player still holding cards in their hand becomes the Durak i,e. Loser or fool in the game. The play continues till there’s only one player left with cards in their hand.
How to Play Durak Card Game?
Let us first get familiar with the gameplay of durak games starting with the setup, decks, deal and objective of the game.
Setup
Here are the materials required for the setup:
- A standard Durak Russian card game consists of a deck of 36 cards starting from 6 to Ace. All number cards from 2 to 5 are eliminated from the game.
- A maximum of six players can participate in the game at a time, while 2 is the minimum number of players in the game.
- The lowest ranking card is the number 6 card, and the highest ranking card is Ace.
- A dealer can be chosen randomly in the game. Most of the time, the loser of the previous game becomes the dealer of cards.
- The trump suit is the face-up card placed in the draw deck right after the last card is dealt.
- The suit of this face-up card becomes the trump suit for this game.
- Slide the remaining deck on top of the face-up card, leaving the trump card visible to the other players.
Card Deck
Depending on the number of players, this card game has several variations. It is suitable for family gatherings, functions, and get-togethers with friends. Large groups have 5 to 6 players,, and smaller groups have 2 to 4 players.
Large Deck (5 to 6 players)
The Large Deck is used for a large group having 5 to 6 numbers of players in the game. The large deck consists of 52 cards which do not consist of a joker in the game. The cards are ranked in ascending order: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, A trump. Each player gets seven cards or six cards in the game.
Small Deck (2 to 4 Players)
The small deck consists of 52 cards with no Jokers in the game. No number cards of value less than 6 i,e. 2 to 5 cards, are not used in the game. The ranking order in ascending order are 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, A trump. Each player gets six cards in the game.
The Deal
Anyone can be chosen to become a dealer in the game, in most of the variants of the Durak Russian card game, the loser of the last game becomes the dealer in the game. The player with the lowest-ranking trump card in their hand becomes the first attacker in the game and has to go first.
The dealer shuffles the complete deck of cards thoroughly. Each player is dealt with 6 cards face down in the game. After dealing, turn the net card in the deck face up and place it under the deck. Keep the remaining cards on top of the trump card to form the draw pile, and the trump card suit will be visible to all players.
Objective
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The main goal of the Durak Russian Card game is to discard all the cards in hand and not end up becoming the last player with cards in hand when all other players have successfully discarded theirs. The game continues until one player is left with cards. The last player is also declared as “Durak” which means “fool” who is going to be the loser in the game.
Attacking & Defending
There are two important moves in the Durak game that must be played carefully by players. Two active players in the game in one turn can make moves i,e. Attackers and defenders.
Attacking
The game consists of a series of attacks, during which players get a chance to get rid of all their cards. The main goal of attacks is to force the other defending player to take the cards into their hands. The attacker chooses any single card from their hand as the attack card and keeps it face-up on the table
Attackers can place all attacks at once, and additional cards must match the rank of any card currently on the table. If the defender successfully defends, the attack ends. No more cards can be added to the table if the defender fails.
- The attacker reveals cards in the game face up so that all players can watch the cards and use a card accordingly.
- After the first card is successfully defended, all players can attack in the game and can add cards to the table.
- An attack succeeds when the original attacker beats all the cards of the defender.
- Attacking cards must have the same face value as other cards in the play.
- The maximum number of cards originally dealt to the players must be defended in the game, or the defending might last till the defender has no cards left in their hand.
Defending
Defenders in the Durak game must block all attacks from attackers by using high-ranking cards of the same suit. They can also use trump cards to block the attacks. Defenders must defend successfully to prevent themselves from adding cards to their hands. A defender can choose to defend or not to defend against an attack. However, they must pick up all the attack and defense cards on the table.
Defenders must use cards of the same suit with a higher rank. For example, if a defender receives an attacking card, ex. 6♦, they must defend it with a card of the same suit ranking higher than 6♦. They can use any cards from 7♦ to Ace cards. Defenders can counter a trump card only with a higher-ranking trump card.
- Defenders must beat the attacking cards on the table with a card of high-ranking value or a trump card.
- If the defender is left with no card, he must pick a card in his hand, and by doing this the defender’s turn of attack is over.
- If the defender beats the first attacking card, all other players can join the attack move.
- The defender needs to beat all the revealed cards; failing to do so, he needs to pick all cards in the turn, including the cards used by the defenders.
- Either the defender started with fewer than six cards or runs out of all cards in their hand or the maximum cards i,e. 6 or 7 cards have been used in the game whichever is less is considered in the game.
- Defender wins when they beat all the face-up attacking cards and discard all cards from the game.
Gameplay
- The game begins with the player holding the lowest trump card, who becomes the first attacker. At the same time, the player to the immediate left of the attacker becomes the defender.
- The attacker takes the first step in the game by placing a card face up on the table. The defender needs to beat the attacker’s card with a high-ranking card of the same suit or a card from the trump suit. A trump card can only be used when an attacker uses a non-trump card on the table.
- If the defender successfully defends the attack, then the attacker can launch another attack, or he can also launch all attacks at once. However, an attacker can only use a card that is already present on the table, either from defense or attack.
- If another opponent sitting adjacent to the defender has a card of the same rank, then they can join the attack on the table.
- An attack can only consist of 6 cards, but if the defender starts with fewer cards, the attack can end before six cards are on the table.
- The attack also ends if the attacker chooses to stop or runs out of the cards in hand. All cards are discarded if the defender counters the attack. The defender then becomes the next attacker.
- Defenders collect all cards in their hands on the table if they fail to counterattack or choose not to defend against the attack. The defender also loses a chance to attack in the next round.
- All players must replenish their cards and make a total of six cards in their hands each while changing turns in the game.
- In the next turn, the defender who successfully defends becomes the next attacker, and the player to the left side in the clockwise direction becomes the defender.
- The attacking and defending continues till one of the players is left with cards left in their hands, and other players get rid of all cards in their hands. The last player is often referred to as “Durak or Fool” in the game.
- If the draw pile or remaining cards deck ends, then the player who finishes all cards in their hands completes the game and prevents themselves from being called a Durak
- The player who first gets rid of all cards in their hands becomes the winner, and the one player left with cards loses the game.
Tips & Strategies to Win
To win Durak games you must adopt a strategic approach and follow the Durak card game rules.
Use your Trump card wisely
Never show excitement by using your trump cards early in the game. Use your trump cards only when it is very much necessary. Keep high-ranking trump cards safe till the late-game attacks. You might also want to keep trump cards of the same value to increase your attacking cards’ intensity.
Monitor opponent’s cards
Keep watching your opponent’s play, and always keep knowledge of the number of cards left in the opponent’s hands. Use fewer cards in turn and increase the chance of making your opponent Durak in the game. You can also watch the ranks and suits of the cards used in the game to evaluate the cards and suits left with opponents.
Use mid-valued cards at the beginning
In the starting phase of the game, you must use mid-ranking cards and preserve higher-ranking cards for later chances when opponents seem weaker in the game. Avoid using many cards at once early in the game, as they can easily defend and counter your attacks.
Successful defending is the Key
Avoid using higher-ranking cards until very much necessary; use low-ranking cards to lure attackers and successfully defend. Pick up cards instead of using high-valued trump cards or a high-ranking card in the game. Use trump cards to defend against critical attacks from the attacker’s opponents.
Balancing is important
The total number of trump cards and non-trump cards must be balanced in the hand. Always maintain a good or balanced mix of both cards. Discard weak or lower-ranking cards in the game regularly to avoid being stuck with them later in the game. Do not exhaust all your cards in the game early, as it might compromise your defending ability in the game.
Use bluffing techniques
You can use bluffing in the Durak game to make your opponents believe that you have a strong hand, make them hesitate, and lure them into making wrong decisions in fear. Always keep your opponent’s body language, hand movement, and facial expression to avoid wasting high-value cards.
Observe well
Keep a keen eye on the gameplay and adapt a strategy based on the cards left in the play. Do not prioritize attacks in the game, as you can lose most of your high-valued cards in the game and expose yourself to the opponent. A winning team or player must have at least one non-trump card in the final attack to succeed.
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FAQs
How do you play Durak?
Durak is played with a deck of 36 cards where players take turns attacking and defending.
- Each player is dealt with six cards, and the trump suit is determined by flipping the card next to the last dealt card.
- The attacker keeps a card on the table, and the defender must beat the card with a high-ranking card of the same suit or a trump suit.
- Players other than attackers and defenders can add cards of the same rank on the table if defenders beat the first attacking card.
- The round ends when the defender defends all cards in hand or loses to take the cards.
- The goal is to get rid of all cards in the hand.
- The last player with cards left is known as “Durak” and loses the game.
Is Durak a hard game?
Durak is a simple and easy-to-learn card game that includes a well-defined mixture of rules, strategies, and skills. When you get familiar with the gameplay and Durak card game rules, you will eventually progress.
What card game is similar to the Durak?
UNO, Hearts, Spades, Draw 4, and President are card games whose gameplay matches the Durak game.
What is the objective of the game Durak?
The objective of the Durak game is to get rid of all cards in the hands and prevent yourself from being the last man standing with cards still left in the hands. The last player with cards loses the game and is tagged as “Durak” or “Fool” in the game.
Do Ukrainians play Durak?
Yes, the Durak Card game is very popular in Ukraine, including other soviet countries like Russia, Belarus, and some parts of the United States. This game is believed to have originated in Russia and can be played with a maximum of 6 players of different age groups.
Which is the highest-ranking card in the Durak games?
Ace cards are the highest-ranking cards in the Durak games and can beat any other cards of lower ranking compared to the Ace.
Are Jokers used in the Durak games?
As per the Durak game rules, the joker cards are eliminated from the standard deck of cards used in the Durak cards.
Is Durak skill or luck?
Durak is a skill-based game where you learn how to play a Durak game by mastering the strategic rules and gameplay. Reading opponent hands, trump suits, draw pile, and memory plays a very important role in the Durak Card game.
What does the Russian word Durak mean?
The Durak is a Russian word used in the Durak game, which stands for “fool” in the game. This game is a very popular card game in Russia.
What are the rules for the graveyard in cards?
The “graveyard” in the Durak Russian Card game refers to the discard pile, consisting of all remaining cards not used by players. These cards are not used while being dealt and are kept separately on the table during gameplay.
- Cards in the graveyard are not used in the gameplay for the rest.
- All cards defended successfully by the defenders are kept in the graveyard.
- Players cannot change the order of cards kept in the graveyard but can examine the cards.
