The simplest durak — one on one and with no throwing in. Ideal for the road or just for two: easy rules, quick game.
As in ordinary durak — be first to get rid of your cards and not be left holding them. The difference is that it is played strictly by two and without throwing in: there is only an attacker and a defender.
Use a 36-card deck. Deal 6 cards to each player. Place the bottom card of the stock face-up — its suit becomes the trump, and that card goes to whoever draws it last.
The attacker plays a card; the opponent beats it with a higher card of the same suit or with a trump. Beaten — the cards go to the discard and roles switch: now the defender attacks. Not beaten — they take the card, and the attacker keeps attacking. After each deal both players draw back up to six while the stock lasts. When the cards run out, the durak is the one left holding them. The combat is the same as in podkidnoy durak, just without third players and throwing in.
It is a simplified one-on-one version with no throwing in: only the two players attack and defend.
Six to each of the two players. The deck is 36 cards, and the trump is set by the bottom card.
The player left holding cards at the end — the “durak”.