Game guide · ZZQHMY
Find your footing in War
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. 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.
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.
Something to practise
On equal ranks, each side places one card face down and another face up. Repeat if those face-up ranks also tie. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
The purpose of your moves
Win both face-up cards with the higher rank and try to collect the whole deck. The game area remains available above the explanation.
A walkthrough of the rules
- 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.
Input guidance
Take a moment to check the current turn. Press Turn cards for one battle, or Play 10 battles to advance ten battles without choosing cards.
Work through an example
Read the position before choosing your next action. 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.
A mistake to avoid
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your action. You cannot choose a card from the pile. War depends on the dealt order, not a discard strategy. The game area remains available above the explanation.
Answers about the rules and controls
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. The controls work with mouse or touch.
On this page, how do the controls work?
Press Turn cards for one battle, or Play 10 battles to advance ten battles without choosing cards. The controls work with mouse or touch.
During a round, 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. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
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. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
When I start, how many people can play here?
You vs computer. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
On this page, is Ace high?
Yes. The order runs from two through king to Ace; suits are ignored. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
On this page, 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. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
Why was the round drawn?
Both players ran short at the same point in a war, or the 500-battle limit was reached. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
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.