Durak

Objective: The main goal of Durak is not to be the last player holding cards. The last player with cards is called the "Durak," which means "Fool" in Russian. All other players aim to get rid of all their cards.

Components:

• A standard deck of 36 cards (ranging from 6 to Ace in each of the four suits).

Setup:

1. Players: Durak can be played by 2 to 6 players.
2. Deck: Use a deck of 36 cards.
3. Trump determination: After shuffling, each player is dealt six cards. The next card is revealed, and the suit of this card becomes the trump suit. The remainder of the deck is placed face down on top of the trump card, leaving it partly visible.

Gameplay:

1. First Attacker: The player with the lowest trump card starts as the initial attacker.
2. Attacking: The attack begins with the attacker playing a card from their hand against the defender. Other players may follow by adding cards of the same rank (not suit) that might also be defended.
3. Defending: The defender must beat each attacking card with either a higher card of the same suit or a trump card. If a trump card is played, it can only be beaten by a higher trump card.
4. Additional Attempts: Other players may join the attack by adding more cards of the same rank, provided the defender can defend against them.
5. Failure to Defend: If the defender cannot or chooses not to beat all attacking cards, they must pick up those cards and the attack ends. The defender becomes the attacker in the next round.
6. Successful Defense: If the defender is successful, all cards are discarded to the discard pile. The player sitting to the left of the defender starts the next attack.
7. End of Round: Each player draws back up to six cards, beginning with the attacker and moving clockwise.

Special Rules and Notes:

• If the draw pile (talon) is emptied, the game continues without drawing cards.
• The last player still holding cards when all others have discarded theirs is declared the Durak.

Strategic Tips:

• Card Management: It's crucial to maintain a balance between low cards for defending and high cards for attacking.
• Use Trumps Wisely: Save your trump cards for when you really need them to defend against strong opponent moves.
• Card Observation: Pay attention to which cards have been played to anticipate possible opponent moves and plan your strategy accordingly.

Ending the Game:

The game ends when one player remains as the "Durak" by being the last one with cards in their hand.