Cards · 2–6 players · free
Durak Tab Joy
Durak Tab Joy – Durak online, free and ad-free
The complete guide · 36 cards · 2–6 players
Durak rules
Durak is a game of attack and defence: whoever gets rid of all their cards is safe, and the last player holding cards is the "fool". Here are all the rules, from the deal to the end of the game, including both common versions.
The deck and the deal
A 36-card deck: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace in each of the four suits. 2–6 players (24- and 52-card versions exist as house rules).
Each player gets 6 cards. The next card is turned face up and placed under the deck so everyone can see it: its suit is trumps for the whole game, and it is the last card to be drawn.
Card ranking: 6 is the lowest, Ace the highest. Any trump beats any non-trump.
Who starts
In the first round the player holding the lowest trump starts. If nobody has a trump, the player to the left of the dealer starts (or as agreed). In later rounds, whoever defended successfully in the previous round attacks.
The attack
The attacker places one card on the table. The defender is the next player in turn order.
After the first card, only cards of ranks already on the table (including defending cards) may be added to the attack. For example, if a 7 was beaten by a 10, more 7s and 10s may be thrown in.
A single round may have at most 6 attacking cards, and never more than the defender holds in hand. The first attack of the game is often limited to 5 cards.
The defence
To beat a card, the defender covers it with a higher card of the same suit, or with any trump (a trump can only be beaten by a higher trump).
The defender must beat every card on the table. If they cannot or do not want to, they announce they are "taking" and pick up all the cards on the table. Before they take, the attackers may add more cards (up to the limit) – and the defender takes those too.
Throw-in Durak (podkidnoy)
In the most common version, not only the main attacker but all players (or only the defender's neighbours, by house rule) may "throw in" extra cards of ranks already on the table. The main attacker throws first; if they pass, the others may.
Transfer Durak (perevodnoy)
In the transfer version the defender may – before beating any card – add a card of the same rank as the attacking card and so pass the whole attack to the next player, who now defends against all the cards. A transfer is only allowed if the next player holds enough cards.
End of the round and drawing
If the defender beat every card, all of them go to the discard pile (and never return), and the defender attacks next.
If the defender took, they skip their turn to attack, and the next player attacks.
After every round players draw back up to 6 cards: the main attacker first, then the throwers in order, and the defender last. When the deck runs out, the exposed trump is drawn last and play continues with the cards in hand.
End of the game
Once the deck is empty, a player who gets rid of all their cards leaves the game and is safe. The last player holding cards is the durak. In a two-player game, the first to finish wins.
If the last two players get rid of their cards in the same round (the attacker plays their last card and the defender beats it with their last card), it is a draw; in some houses the defender is the durak.
Common house rules
"Only neighbours throw in" – only the players on either side of the defender may add cards.
A 24-card deck (9 to Ace) for a lightning game of a few minutes, or 52 cards (2 to Ace) for a long one.
A 5-card limit on the first attack of the game.
In Durak Tab Joy you can set all of these in the table settings.
Questions
How many players does Durak need?
2 to 6. With 36 cards, 3–4 players is the most balanced.
What is the difference between throw-in and transfer?
In throw-in the defender only defends; in transfer they can pass the attack on with a card of the same rank, before beating anything.
Who wins at Durak?
There is no single winner – there is one loser. The last player holding cards is the durak.
Can a trump be beaten by a trump?
Yes, only by a higher trump. A plain card is beaten by a higher card of the same suit or by any trump; a non-trump of another suit beats nothing.
