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SXSMQZJ

RULES & PRACTICE

How to Play War

Play War ↗

Game guide · SXSMQZJ

Rules, controls and help for War

Take a moment to check the current turn. Win both face-up cards with the higher rank and try to collect the whole deck. The game area remains available above the explanation. 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.

Practice beyond the first move

A careful first move helps you understand the round. On equal ranks, each side places one card face down and another face up. Repeat if those face-up ranks also tie.

What the game asks you to do

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. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.

Work through the instructions

  1. The deck is split into two face-down piles of 26 cards.
  2. Turn both top cards. Higher rank wins both cards; Aces are high and suits do not matter.
  3. On equal ranks, each side places one card face down and another face up. Repeat if those face-up ranks also tie.
  4. The winner of a battle takes its full pile to the bottom of their deck.
  5. A player unable to finish a war loses; equal shortages are a draw. A round also ends in a draw after 500 battles.
  6. Use New round for another shuffled deal.

Controls

Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. Press Turn cards for one battle, or Play 10 battles to advance ten battles without choosing cards. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.

A useful 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. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.

Watch out for this

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.

Helpful answers for players

What is the aim of War?

Win both face-up cards with the higher rank and try to collect the whole deck. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.

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. Use the labelled controls for your next action.

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 worked example offers another way to follow the rule.

When I start, 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.

For this game, 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. No download or player account is required.

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. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.

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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.

Why was the round drawn?

Both players ran short at the same point in a war, or the 500-battle limit was reached. No download or player account is required.

Can I choose which card to play?

No. Each battle turns the next top card from each face-down pile. A new round resets the current game.

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