How to play Durak online: rules for your first game
The Durak rules fit on one page. The first table still brings a few pauses: why can this card not cover the attack, who leads next, and is another throw-in legal? This guide follows a match in the order it happens.
Starting the game
Each player receives six cards. The next card in the deck shows the trump suit. A trump beats any non-trump card. Within one suit, the higher rank wins.
The player with the lowest trump attacks first. They play one card, or several cards of the same rank, against the player on their left.
Defending an attack
The defender covers each attacking card with a higher card of the same suit or with a trump. A trump can only be beaten by a higher trump.
Once cards are on the table, players may throw in ranks already visible there. If a seven and a Jack are on the table, only sevens and Jacks may be added. The attack cannot contain more cards than the defender held at the start of the turn.
If every card is covered, the table goes to the discard pile. If the defender cannot or does not want to continue, they pick up every card on the table.
After the turn
Players draw back up to six while the deck lasts. The original attacker draws first, the other players follow in order, and the defender draws last.
After a successful defense, the defender starts the next attack. After picking up, they miss that attack and the player to their left leads.
A sensible first game
- Choose Classic mode, two players, and no stake.
- Lead with a low non-trump card. It gives away less and may reveal a missing suit.
- Do not spend a high trump when an ordinary suited card can cover the attack.
- Watch the deck. Once drawing stops, every extra card in hand becomes harder to clear.
Where new players waste useful cards
One common mistake starts with the opening lead: a low trump goes into an attack even though it may be needed for defense one turn later. Pairs cause the same problem. A second seven may match the table, but keeping the pair can give you a better next attack.
Picking up is not always a disaster. Taking two low cards can cost less than spending your last high trump. After the turn, glance at the discard pile as well as your new hand. Remembering the trumps that have gone out is enough to start.
See the full Durak rules for edge cases. Once Classic feels comfortable, try Transfer Durak, a 2v2 team game, or read the strategy notes.