Game guide · CQXINXING
An introduction to playing War
Check the rule below as you play. Win both face-up cards with the higher rank and try to collect the whole deck. Start a new round when you are ready to try again. 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
Take a moment to check the current turn. On equal ranks, each side places one card face down and another face up. Repeat if those face-up ranks also tie.
Aim for this result
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your 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.
Controls
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your 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.
Work through an example
Check the rule below as you play. 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.
Watch out for this
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. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
More answers before you play
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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
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. A new round resets the current 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. A new round resets the current game.
For this game, 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.
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.
During a round, how many people can play here?
You vs computer. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. The instructions above use these same rules.
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.
When I start, 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.
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. No download or player account is required.
On this page, can I choose which card to play?
No. Each battle turns the next top card from each face-down pile. The instructions above use these same rules.
