The game is typically played with two to five people, with six players if desired, using a deck of 36 cards, for example a standard 52-card deck from which the numerical cards 2 through 5 have been removed. Initially a social pastime of uneducated peasants and industrial workers, after the October Revolution Durak has spread to numerous social levels by mid-20th century to soon become the most popular Soviet card game. The game is attributed to have appeared in late 18th century Russian Empire and was popularized by Imperial Army conscripts during the 1812 Russo-French war.

At the end of the game, the last player with cards in their hand is the durak or 'fool'. The objective of the game is to shed all one's cards when there are no more cards left in the deck. It has since become known in other parts of the world. It is Russia's most popular card game, having displaced Preferans. Russian card game that is popular in many post-Soviet states. Probability, strategy, memory ġ0 and above (assuming appropriate maturity)ĭurak (Russian: дурак, IPA: ( listen), ' fool') is a traditional 1 – deck, 2 – first attacker, 3 – defender, 4 – next defender.

Durak online card game