Card and board games
Durak variants
What this entry covers
Players who grew up with Durak often disagree about the rules, because families and regions play it differently. The Durak variants page sets out the main versions, and the notes below summarise them.
Throw-in Durak (podkidnoy)
The standard game. After the first attack, other players may throw in extra cards of any rank already on the table, up to a limit, so the defender can face a pile-up from several directions.
Transfer Durak (perevodnoy)
Before beating anything, the defender can pass the attack to the next player by adding a card of the same rank. The next player can transfer again. Once any card has been beaten, the attack can no longer be passed in that bout. Transfers make the game faster and much less predictable.
The two main versions compared
| Throw-in (podkidnoy) | Transfer (perevodnoy) | |
|---|---|---|
| What the defender can do | Beat each card or pick them all up | Also pass the attack on with a card of the same rank |
| Who adds cards | Other players throw in matching ranks | The same, plus the new defender after a transfer |
| Pace | Steady | Faster, with more swings |
| Best for | Learning the game | Players who already know throw-in Durak |
Deck size
The usual deck has 36 cards. A 24-card deck (nine to ace) makes short games for two or three players, and a full 52-card deck gives longer rounds for five or six.
House rules you will meet
- The first attack of a round limited to five cards.
- Only the main attacker may throw in until they pass.
- The previous fool defends first in the next round.
Editor's notes
Agree the house rules before the first deal. Most arguments at a Durak table are about the throw-in limit.
Entry last checked: October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Use the contact page.