Durak
Russia's most popular card game, meaning 'fool' in Russian. An attack and defense game where the goal is not to win but to avoid being the last player with cards - the fool!
What You'll Need
About This Game
Russia's most popular card game, meaning 'fool' in Russian. An attack and defense game where the goal is not to win but to avoid being the last player with cards - the fool!
How to Play
- Use 36-card deck (6 through Ace)
- Deal 6 cards each; flip bottom of stock to show trump suit
- Lowest trump holder attacks first
- Attacker plays card(s); defender must beat each with higher same-suit or trump
- Multiple attackers: others may add cards matching values in play
- Defender beats all = cards go to discard; defender becomes attacker
- Defender can't beat = must pick up all played cards
- After attack, draw back to 6 from stock (attacker first)
- When stock empty, play with cards in hand
- First to empty hand is out (safe)
- Last player with cards is the Durak (fool) and loses!
- Partnership variant: 4 players in teams
History & Background
Durak (meaning "fool" in Russian) is the most popular card game in Russia and the former Soviet states. The game emerged in the late 18th century and became a national pastime, played everywhere from military barracks to family kitchens.
Unlike most Western card games where the goal is to win, in Durak the objective is to not lose—the last player holding cards is the "fool" and loses the game. This creates a unique dynamic where players gang up on the weakest player and strategic sacrifices are common.
The game was so popular during Soviet times that special "Durak" decks were manufactured with 36 cards (6 through Ace). Today, Durak is experiencing a digital renaissance, with millions playing online versions across Eastern Europe and beyond.