Durak rules: attacking, defending, and throwing in
The aim is simple: get rid of your cards first. The last player still holding cards loses the game.
Deck, deal, and trump
You can play with 24, 36, or 52 cards. Each player receives six. The next card is shown beneath the stock and sets the trump suit for the whole game.
The player with the lowest trump attacks first. If nobody holds a trump, the first attacker is selected at random.
Attack and defense
The attacker places a card on the table. The defender covers it with a higher card of the same suit or with a trump. A trump can only be covered by a higher trump.
Once defense begins, players may throw in ranks already visible on the table. An attack is limited to six cards and cannot exceed the number of cards the defender held at the start of the turn.
Beating the attack or picking up
After a successful defense, the table goes to the discard pile and the defender leads the next attack. If the defender cannot or does not want to continue, they pick up the whole table. The player to their left attacks next.
Drawing and finishing
After a turn, players draw back up to six. The original attacker draws first and the defender draws last. Once the stock is empty, play continues without drawing.
A player with no cards is finished once the stock is empty. Play continues until only one participant still holds cards.
Modes
In Classic Durak, the defender either covers the attack or picks it up. Transfer Durak adds the option to pass an attack with a matching rank. Team mode is played by two pairs, while the two-player guide covers head-to-head play.
Frequently asked questions
How many cards are dealt in Durak?
Each player is dealt six cards at the start. After every round, players draw back up to six until the deck is empty.
Can you throw in trump cards?
Yes: trumps can be thrown in on equal terms with any other suit, as long as their rank already appears on the table.
How many cards can be thrown in during Durak?
An attack is limited to six cards and cannot exceed the number of cards the defender held when the attack began. The opening attack is limited to five cards.
What if the defender runs out of cards mid-defense?
The round ends immediately. The defender is considered to have successfully defended, and the attack passes to the next player.
Who goes first in Durak?
The player holding the lowest trump starts. If nobody has a trump, the first attacker is chosen at random. In later rounds, a successful defender attacks next; after a pickup, the player to the defender's left attacks.
What happens if I disconnect?
Every player has a 45-second reconnect budget. If a player fails to return in time, they automatically forfeit the match.
Ready to play?