How to Play Durak Podkidnoy
Durak Podkidnoy is a lively Russian throw-in version of Durak that rewards quick thinking and teamwork. This page gives a friendly, beginner-first walkthrough so you can try it with friends — and check out Playmore for more card-game guides.
Quick facts
| Game | Players | Deck | Family |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durak Podkidnoy | 2–6 | 36-card setup (make from a normal 52-card deck) | Russia / Eastern Europe |
What you are trying to do
The basic goal is to avoid being the last player with cards. Players attack and defend in turns. In Podkidnoy the special twist is that other players may "throw in" extra cards against a defender to make their job harder. Learn the beat rules and safe throw-in choices, and you’ll survive longer.
What you need and how to set up
Use a 36-card deck made from a regular 52-card deck (remove cards below 6 so the deck runs 6–7–8–9–10–J–Q–K–A). One normal deck is enough. Shuffle and deal a fixed hand size to each player (many groups use six cards, but check the official or house rules you’re using). Place the rest of the deck face down as a draw pile and turn the top card face up to show the trump suit. That face-up card stays visible or partially covered under the draw pile per your group rules.
Note: regional and house rules vary. Check the authoritative rule reference for the exact local version before you play.
How to play
- Choose the first attacker. Usually the player to the dealer's left starts, but your group may pick differently.
- Attacker plays one card face up to begin the attack.
- The defender tries to beat each attacking card. A card is beaten by a higher card of the same suit or by any trump. Place beaten pairs to the side as completed.
- Other players may throw in extra attacking cards (this is the Podkidnoy throw-in). They can only throw cards that match ranks already on the table (attack or defense cards). Throw-ins continue until the defender has to beat them all or reaches the limit set by your version of the rules.
- If the defender beats every attacking card, the attacker and throw-ins collect the beaten cards into a discard pile and play passes to the next attacker. If the defender cannot or chooses not to beat a card, they pick up all cards on the table into their hand.
- After each attack finishes, players draw from the draw pile to refill their hands to the agreed hand size, starting with the attacker and then clockwise. Continue rounds until the draw pile is gone and players empty their hands.
Because Podkidnoy has many local limits (how many cards can be thrown in, when drawing happens, exact hand size), groups should check the authoritative or house rules for those precise numbers.
How a round or game ends
A play session usually ends when all players but one have emptied their hands. The last player holding cards is the durak (the loser). Some groups play single-round punishment, while others play many hands and keep score or rotate the dealer. Confirm which ending rule your group prefers.
Beginner tips
- Watch the trump card and count how many trumps have been played. That helps you judge risks.
- Don’t throw in cards that help the defender unless you’re sure they can’t beat them.
- Save a few mid-value cards and a trump if possible for defense.
- When you’re attacking, start with a low card to probe the defender’s strength.
- Agree on limits (hand size, throw-in cap) before you begin so everyone plays the same version.
FAQ
How many cards can other players throw in?
That depends on the version you choose. Many groups limit throw-ins so the defender can’t be overwhelmed, but exact caps vary. Check your agreed rules first.
Do thrown-in cards have to match a rank on the table?
Yes. In Podkidnoy throw-in cards are usually only allowed if they match the rank of any card already on the table (attack or defense). This keeps throw-ins connected to the current fight.
What if the defender takes the cards?
If the defender can’t beat all cards, they pick them up and add them to their hand. The next player then becomes the attacker and play continues. Exact drawing and turn order can vary by house rules.