Game guide · MXZTJ
How to play War
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. 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.
Try a more deliberate round
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. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
The challenge in front of you
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.
Start here and follow along
- 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
A careful first move helps you understand the round. 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.
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. The game area remains available above the explanation.
Avoid this misunderstanding
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. 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.
A few questions answered
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. The game is played locally in your browser.
For this game, 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.
On this page, 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.
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. A new round resets the current game.
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 controls work with mouse or touch.
How many people can play here?
You vs computer. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
When I start, is Ace high?
Yes. The order runs from two through king to Ace; suits are ignored. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
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. The instructions above use these same rules.
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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
For this game, can I choose which card to play?
No. Each battle turns the next top card from each face-down pile. Use the labelled controls for your next action.