Durak
Agree these five things before a game of Durak
Durak is played from memory, so no two households quite agree. Settle these before the first card goes down.
Most games of Durak are played without a rule book, which is part of its charm and the source of most of its arguments. These five questions come up at almost every new table.
1. Who may throw in?
In the common version, every player except the defender may throw in matching cards. Some tables let only the main attacker add cards until they pass, after which the others may join in. Agree which you are using, and in what order people may throw in.
2. How many cards in one bout?
The usual limit is six attack cards per bout, and never more than the defender holds at the start of the bout. Many players also cap the first bout of a round at five.
3. Throw-in or transfer?
In transfer Durak the defender can pass the attack on with a card of the same rank. Mixing up the two versions mid-game is how many arguments start, so say which one you are playing.
4. Who starts the next round?
Some tables let the lowest trump start every round. Others have the previous fool deal and the player to the fool's left attack, or have the fool defend first.
5. What happens with a draw?
If the last two players get rid of their cards on the same bout, most players call it a draw. Some count it as a loss for the defender.
The five questions at a glance
The answers below are the ones we meet most often. None of them is the only right one.
| Question | Most common answer | Usual alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Who may throw in? | Everyone except the defender | The main attacker first, then the others |
| Cards in one bout | Up to six, and never more than the defender holds | First bout of a round capped at five |
| Throw-in or transfer? | Throw-in only | Transfer allowed with a card of the same rank |
| Who starts the next round? | The player to the left of the last fool | The lowest trump starts every round |
| Both players go out together | A draw | A loss for the defender |
The short version
If in doubt, pick one written set of rules, such as this list of common variants, and agree the house rules before the first deal. Writing them on a scrap of paper at the start of the night saves a lot of time later.