Game guide · XDSTMALL
How to play War
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.
One thing to notice as you play
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. On equal ranks, each side places one card face down and another face up. Repeat if those face-up ranks also tie. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
What counts as success
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. The game area remains available above the explanation.
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.
Keyboard and screen 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. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
A useful example
Take a moment to check the current turn. 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.
Notice this detail
Check the rule below as you play. 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.
Questions that come up during 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. A new round resets the current game.
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. You can start a new round from the game controls.
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. The game is played locally in your browser.
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. You can start a new round from the game controls.
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 worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
For this game, how many people can play here?
You vs computer. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. The controls work with mouse or touch.
When I start, is Ace high?
Yes. The order runs from two through king to Ace; suits are ignored. A new round resets the current game.
On this page, 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. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
For this game, 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.
For this game, 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.
