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♠ ♥ ♦ ♣ Card games

Shop durak

The familiar durak in which the “shop” — the draw pile — plays a special role. Players top up their hands from it after each deal until the cards run out.

Players2–4
Deck36 cards
Age7+
Game15–20 min
DifficultyEasy

01 Goal of the game

The usual durak goal — be first to get rid of your cards and not be left with them. What is special is how drawing works: cards come from a shared “shop”.

02 What the “shop” is

The “shop” is the draw pile — the part of the deck left after dealing. Each player gets 6 cards and the rest go face-down in the centre. The bottom card is shown — its suit becomes the trump. Players refill their hands from this “shop”.

03 How to play

Attack and defend as in podkidnoy durak: beat with a higher card of the same suit or with a trump, and you may throw in by rank. Don’t beat it — you take the cards; beat it — they go to the discard. After each deal everyone draws in turn from the “shop” up to six (the attacker first). When the “shop” is empty, play out what is in hand. The durak is the last player with cards. In essence it is the same podkidnoy durak, with the focus on drawing from the shared pile.

04 Questions and answers

What is the “shop”?

The draw pile — the remaining deck from which players refill their hands after each deal.

How does it differ from podkidnoy durak?

Essentially it is the same game; the emphasis is on drawing from the shared “shop” up to six cards.

Who loses?

The player left with cards once the “shop” is empty and the others are out.

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