In most card games someone wins. In Durak, someone loses. The word is Russian for fool, and that title goes to the last player still holding cards. Durak unblocked lets you play the classic version against one to three computer opponents or with friends around one device.
Christopher Müller wrote this edition for his PaperGames set. A game usually takes a few minutes, and the back-and-forth of attack and defense makes every hand feel tense.
How to play Durak
A 36-card deck from Six to Ace is used, and each player starts with six cards. The card under the stock is turned up and its suit becomes trump for the whole game. The holder of the lowest trump leads the first attack.
The attacker plays a card, and the defender has to cover it with a higher card of that suit or with any trump. Others may then throw in more cards, but only ranks already showing on the table. A full defense sends the pile to the discards and makes the defender the new attacker. A failed one means the defender picks up the whole table and gives up the next attack as well.
After each round, everyone draws back up to six while the stock lasts. Once it is empty, players who run out of cards drop out safely. The last one holding cards is the fool.
Controls
| To… | Mouse | Touch |
|---|---|---|
| Attack, defend or throw in a card | Click the card in your hand | Tap the card in your hand |
| Pick up the cards on the table | Click "Take the cards" | Tap "Take the cards" |
| Stop throwing in | Click "Pass" | Tap "Pass" |
| Pass the attack to the next player (optional rule) | Click "Pass the attack on", then the matching card | Tap "Pass the attack on", then the matching card |
| Set up a game | Choose vs Computer or Same device, players, level and rules, then click "New game" | Choose vs Computer or Same device, players, level and rules, then tap "New game" |
Tips
- Save your trumps. A trump beats any plain card, so spending one on a low attack early can leave you helpless later.
- Lead with pairs in mind. Attack with a rank you hold more than once, so you can throw in its twin after the defender covers the first.
- Track the trump suit. Count how many trumps have been played. Late in the game, knowing that only one high trump is left can win a round.
- Pick up when it is cheap. Taking a small pile of low cards is sometimes better than wasting good cards to defend.
- Dump weak cards as attacker. Attacking is your chance to get rid of low cards you would never use to defend.
Durak questions
Can I play Durak with friends on one phone?
Yes. Pick the same-device option and cards stay covered while the phone changes hands. Whoever's turn it is presses Show my cards to see them.
What is the transfer rule?
It is an optional rule you turn on before starting. A defender who has a card of the same rank can add it and push the attack to the next player instead of defending.
How strong are the computer players?
You can set them to one of three levels before a game. Start low to learn the flow of attack and defense, then raise it.
