What is the difference between podkidnoy and perevodnoy Durak?

In podkidnoy (the usual form) the defender must beat each card or take. In perevodnoy, before beating anything, the defender may pass the attack on to the next player by adding a card of the same rank, if that player holds enough cards. You pick the form with a switch in the lobby, or open the perevodnoy page.

Who attacks first, and who attacks next?

The player holding the lowest trump leads the first bout. After that, a defender who beat everything attacks next; if the defender had to take, the player after the defender attacks.

Can I play Durak with friends and against the computer?

Yes, for free. Play the computer (pick one, two or three), send friends an invite link for 2 to 4 players with the host able to fill empty seats with computers, or pass one phone between 2 to 4 people: a cover screen between turns hides each hand. No download or sign-up, in any browser or in Telegram.

Is there always a loser in Durak?

Almost always. Once the talon is empty, players with no cards are safe, and the last one holding cards is the durak. If the last two players run out of cards at the same moment, nobody is the durak and the game is a draw.

Durak Online – Free Russian Card Game vs Computer

Durak

Beat, throw in, and don't be the last one holding cards

How to play

Durak on Matsuri is free online Durak, the Russian card game, for two to four players: a 36-card deck, six cards each, and the aim of not being the last one holding cards. Play the computer, send friends an invite link to play in Telegram or any browser, or pass one phone round the table. Podkidnoy and perevodnoy rules are both here. It runs on phone or desktop and inside Telegram via @MatsuriGamesBot, with no download or sign-up.

Durak (the fool) is the card game everyone plays in Russia and Ukraine. A 36-card deck from six to ace, six cards each, and the bottom card of the talon turned up for trumps. The attacker leads a card; the defender beats it with a higher card of the same suit or with a trump, or takes it. Everyone else may then throw in cards of a rank already on the table, up to six in a bout. Cards beaten go out of play; after each bout everyone draws back to six. Once the talon is gone, the players who run out of cards are safe, and the last one left holding cards is the durak. Podkidnoy rules, or perevodnoy, where the defender may pass the attack on with a card of the same rank. Play the computer, one to three of them, invite friends by link, or pass one phone round.

Also: Perevodnoy Durak

Six cards each; the card turned up under the talon names trumps. Attacking, tap any card; defending, beat it with a higher card of the same suit or with a trump, or tap Take.
Once everything is beaten, anyone may throw in a card of a rank already on the table, up to six a bout; tap Done (or Pass) when you have nothing to add. Beaten cards go out, and everyone draws back to six.
When the talon is gone, whoever runs out of cards is safe. The last one left holding cards is the durak, the fool.

How to play Durak (podkidnoy and perevodnoy rules)

The deck is 36 cards, from six to ace. Everyone is dealt six, and the bottom card of the talon is turned face up under it: its suit is trumps for the whole game. The player holding the lowest trump attacks first.

A bout starts when the attacker leads any card. The defender beats it with a higher card of the same suit, or with a trump (a trump can only be beaten by a higher trump), or takes everything on the table. Once everything is beaten, the attacker and then the others in turn, going round from the defender's left, may throw in cards of any rank already on the table, and the defender must answer each. At most six cards are thrown in a bout, and never more than the defender held when it began. When nobody wants to add more, the beaten cards leave the game (bito). If the defender takes, the attackers can still add cards before the pick-up, and the defender misses the next attack. Afterwards everyone draws back up to six from the talon, the attacker first and the defender last.

A successful defender attacks next; after a take, the player after the defender does. Once the talon is empty, a player with no cards is out and safe. The last player holding cards is the durak, the fool; if the last two players run out at the same moment, there is no durak and the game is a draw. In perevodnoy, before beating anything, the defender may pass the attack on by adding a card of the same rank, and the next player must then defend against all the cards, if they hold enough to do so.

Durak strategy and tips

Keep your trumps for when they count. Beating a six with a trump early leaves you short at the end, when the bouts are decided.
Attack with your low cards of plain suits and try to get rid of pairs. Leading a rank you hold two of lets you throw in the second card when the first is beaten.
Count the cards that have gone. Beaten cards leave the game, so after a few bouts you can work out which trumps are still out and what the others may be holding, and a card the defender picked up is a card you now know they have.
Throw in with care. Cards you add give the defender more to take and may feed a hand that is already full, so push when the defender is short of answers and hold back when you would only be helping them.
In the end game, when the talon runs out, keep a way to get rid of your last cards. With a pair or a high trump in hand you can often finish a bout and go out safely; in perevodnoy, remember that a transfer needs the next player to hold enough cards.

Modes and difficulty

Play the computer: choose one, two or three computers at the table. It samples possible deals of the cards it has not seen and plays them out to pick its move, and it keeps track of the cards gone and the cards it saw picked up. It is strong but beatable, and a newcomer's first two tables are a little gentler. Play friends: open a table and send the invite link for 2 to 4 people; the host can fill empty seats with computers. Two to four on one phone: pass the phone, and a cover screen between turns hides each hand. No account needed.

Playing Durak on Matsuri

The server deals the cards and keeps every hand; each player's page receives only their own cards, and the server checks every move, so nobody can peek or cheat. Where people search for plain Durak, the table opens as a classic green card table with plain cards; in other languages it is a candy table with Mocha, the hall's host, and either look can be picked. The podkidnoy and perevodnoy rules are chosen with a switch in the lobby, or by opening the perevodnoy page. A game pays a little candy once at least 16 moves have been played: against friends 15 for a win (not being the durak counts as a win), 8 for a draw and 5 for a loss, against the computer 6 for a win, within the day's candy budget.

A little history

Durak spread in Russia in the 19th century and became the most played card game across the former Soviet Union; its name simply means fool, after the player who loses. Podkidnoy, where cards are thrown in at the defender, and perevodnoy, where an attack can be passed on, are its two main forms.

Questions

How do you play Durak?: Every player gets six cards from a 36-card deck (6 to ace) and the bottom card of the talon is turned up to name the trump suit. The attacker leads a card, the defender beats it with a higher card of the same suit or with a trump, or takes it, and the others may throw in cards of ranks already on the table. Beaten cards go out of the game, everyone draws back to six, and the last player left holding cards is the durak, the fool.
What is the difference between podkidnoy and perevodnoy Durak?: In podkidnoy (the usual form) the defender must beat each card or take. In perevodnoy, before beating anything, the defender may pass the attack on to the next player by adding a card of the same rank, if that player holds enough cards. You pick the form with a switch in the lobby, or open the perevodnoy page.
Who attacks first, and who attacks next?: The player holding the lowest trump leads the first bout. After that, a defender who beat everything attacks next; if the defender had to take, the player after the defender attacks.
Can I play Durak with friends and against the computer?: Yes, for free. Play the computer (pick one, two or three), send friends an invite link for 2 to 4 players with the host able to fill empty seats with computers, or pass one phone between 2 to 4 people: a cover screen between turns hides each hand. No download or sign-up, in any browser or in Telegram.
Is there always a loser in Durak?: Almost always. Once the talon is empty, players with no cards are safe, and the last one holding cards is the durak. If the last two players run out of cards at the same moment, nobody is the durak and the game is a draw.

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