Game guide · BJHRWTGDGC
A practical guide to War
The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. Win both face-up cards with the higher rank and try to collect the whole deck. The deck is split into two face-down piles of 26 cards. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
A free two-player comparison game. One face-down card per war; 500-battle draw limit prevents an indefinitely long round. No money or prizes.
Practice beyond the first move
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. On equal ranks, each side places one card face down and another face up. Repeat if those face-up ranks also tie. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Understand the aim
Win both face-up cards with the higher rank and try to collect the whole deck. The game area remains available above the explanation.
From the start of a round
- The deck is split into two face-down piles of 26 cards.
- Turn both top cards. Higher rank wins both cards; Aces are high and suits do not matter.
- On equal ranks, each side places one card face down and another face up. Repeat if those face-up ranks also tie.
- The winner of a battle takes its full pile to the bottom of their deck.
- A player unable to finish a war loses; equal shortages are a draw. A round also ends in a draw after 500 battles.
- Use New round for another shuffled deal.
The controls to know
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. Press Turn cards for one battle, or Play 10 battles to advance ten battles without choosing cards. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
A useful example
Check the rule below as you play. If both players reveal a nine, each hides one card and reveals a second. A king then beats a seven and takes the full pile. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Avoid this misunderstanding
Read the position before choosing your next action. You cannot choose a card from the pile. War depends on the dealt order, not a discard strategy. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Clarifying the way this game works
On this page, what is the aim of War?
Win both face-up cards with the higher rank and try to collect the whole deck. You can start a new round from the game controls.
When I start, how do the controls work?
Press Turn cards for one battle, or Play 10 battles to advance ten battles without choosing cards. The instructions above use these same rules.
For this game, can you show an example?
If both players reveal a nine, each hides one card and reveals a second. A king then beats a seven and takes the full pile. No download or player account is required.
Which mistake should I avoid?
You cannot choose a card from the pile. War depends on the dealt order, not a discard strategy. No download or player account is required.
During a round, what rules and limits are used here?
A free two-player comparison game. One face-down card per war; 500-battle draw limit prevents an indefinitely long round. No money or prizes. The instructions above use these same rules.
During a round, how many people can play here?
You vs computer. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. You can start a new round from the game controls.
On this page, is Ace high?
Yes. The order runs from two through king to Ace; suits are ignored. The instructions above use these same rules.
How many face-down cards are used for a tie?
One, followed by one face-up card. This is the chosen war procedure for this table. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
During a round, why was the round drawn?
Both players ran short at the same point in a war, or the 500-battle limit was reached. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
On this page, can I choose which card to play?
No. Each battle turns the next top card from each face-down pile. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.