Game guide · HBCYGSL
Rules, controls and help for War
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. 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.
Try a more deliberate round
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. The game area remains available above the explanation.
Your objective
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. 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 order of play
- 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.
Controls
Read the position before choosing your next action. Press Turn cards for one battle, or Play 10 battles to advance ten battles without choosing cards. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
See how the rules apply
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. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Watch out for this
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. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Read these answers for extra help
During a round, what is the aim of War?
Win both face-up cards with the higher rank and try to collect the whole deck. A new round resets the current game.
During a round, 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 game is played locally in your browser.
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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this 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. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
How many people can play here?
You vs computer. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
On this page, is Ace high?
Yes. The order runs from two through king to Ace; suits are ignored. The controls work with mouse or touch.
During a round, 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. You can start a new round from the game controls.
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. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
During a round, 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.