Game guide · NEW61
War: learn through an example
A careful first move helps you understand the round. Win both face-up cards with the higher rank and try to collect the whole deck. Keep the goal in mind before your next move. The deck is split into two face-down piles of 26 cards. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
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.
Take a closer look while playing
Check the rule below as you play. 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.
The goal to keep in mind
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. Win both face-up cards with the higher rank and try to collect the whole deck.
How a round unfolds
- 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.
Your inputs
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.
Put the rules into context
The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. 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. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
A useful caution
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.
Game-specific help
When I start, what is the aim of War?
Win both face-up cards with the higher rank and try to collect the whole deck. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
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. The controls work with mouse or touch.
On this page, which mistake should I avoid?
You cannot choose a card from the pile. War depends on the dealt order, not a discard strategy. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
On this page, 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 game is played locally in your browser.
For this game, 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.
During a round, is Ace high?
Yes. The order runs from two through king to Ace; suits are ignored. The game is played locally in your browser.
For this game, 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. The game is played locally in your browser.
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.
For this game, can I choose which card to play?
No. Each battle turns the next top card from each face-down pile. The controls work with mouse or touch.
