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Download on Google Play- Each player uses their own 52-card deck.
- Each player deals 13 cards face-down as a reserve, top card face-up.
- Deal 4 shared tableau columns of 1 face-up card each.
- You MUST play to foundations before other moves; reserve before waste.
- Build tableau descending in alternating colors.
- Play cards onto your opponent's reserve or waste if they match by suit and rank.
- Draw stock cards one at a time to your waste pile.
- First player to empty their reserve and stock wins.
- Opponents can call 'Stop!' if you make moves out of mandatory order, ending your turn.
Rules
Russian Bank is a competitive two-player patience game with strict rules about play order and mandatory moves. Players build on shared foundations while managing personal tableaux, reserves, and waste piles, with violations penalized by loss of turn.
Objective
Be the first to empty your reserve pile and stock. Cards are played to foundations, your opponent's piles, and tableau columns.
Setup
- Players: 2 players, each with their own 52-card deck.
- Reserve: Each player deals 13 cards face-down, top card face-up.
- Tableau: 4 columns of 1 face-up card each, shared between players.
- Stock: Remaining cards for each player.
- Foundations: 8 shared foundation piles (Ace to King by suit).
Gameplay
- Mandatory Moves: You MUST play to foundations before making other moves. You MUST play from your reserve before your waste pile.
- Building: Tableau built descending, alternating colors. You may also play cards onto your opponent's reserve or waste pile if they match by suit and rank.
- Stock: Turn stock cards one at a time to your waste pile.
- Violations: If your opponent catches you making a non-mandatory move out of order, they call 'Stop!' and your turn ends immediately.
Tips and Strategies
- Follow the mandatory play order meticulously — getting stopped costs you your entire turn.
- Dumping cards on your opponent's piles is a powerful aggressive tactic.
- Empty your reserve before focusing on your stock.
Tips & Strategy
The mandatory move rules are what make Russian Bank unique. Master the priority order to avoid costly violations.
Playing cards onto your opponent's waste pile is a devastating tactic — it increases their workload while reducing yours.
Trivia & Fun Facts
The violation-catching mechanic makes Russian Bank one of the few card games where knowing the rules better than your opponent gives a direct competitive advantage.
In Russian Bank, what happens if your opponent catches you making a move out of the mandatory order?
History & Culture
Russian Bank has been popular in Europe since the 19th century, particularly in France (where it is called Crapette) and Germany.
Russian Bank represents a unique category of patience games — competitive, rule-heavy, and intensely strategic.
Variations & House Rules
Crapette is the French version with slightly different priority rules. Some variants allow more tableau columns or larger reserves.
For friendlier play, give a warning before enforcing violations. For competitive play, strict enforcement creates tension.
