What is Five-card first bout?
In the standard game an attack can grow to six cards in every bout, as long as the defender holds that many, and the first bout of the game is no exception.
With this option the first bout of the game is limited to five attack cards. The opening card and the cards thrown in after it may not add up to more than five, so the first defender has to beat at most five cards to clear the table. From the second bout on, the usual limit of six applies again.
The player holding the lowest trump attacks first, as usual, so the first defender is the player after them.
Rule changes
| Rule | Standard Durak | Five-card first bout |
|---|---|---|
| First bout of the game | Standard DurakAt most six attack cards. | Five-card first boutAt most five attack cards. |
| Every later bout | Standard DurakAt most six attack cards, and never more than the defender holds. | Five-card first boutThe same. |
| Transfers in the first bout | Standard DurakWith transfers on, an attack can grow to six cards as it is passed on. | Five-card first boutWith transfers on, the first bout's attack can grow to five cards at most, whoever ends up defending it. |
| Other options | Standard DurakTransfers, partnership play and a 24-card deck can be chosen. | Five-card first boutThe five-card first bout works with all of them, at every table size. |
History
This is a common variation of Podkidnoy Durak: in an individual game with more than three players, the first defender cannot be attacked with more than five cards instead of six. It is meant as a way of reducing the severe disadvantage suffered by the first defender in a game with many players.
Descriptions do not say whether the limit applies to the first bout of a whole session or of each deal. Here every game is a single deal, so the limit applies to the first bout of each game. It can also be chosen at any table size, including two or three players and the partnership game.