Game guide · VISITPHONE
War: rules and examples
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. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction. 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.
Take a closer look while playing
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. 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.
Aim for this result
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. 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.
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.
How to interact with the game
Check the rule below as you play. 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.
An example before you play
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.
Keep this in mind
The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. You cannot choose a card from the pile. War depends on the dealt order, not a discard strategy. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Answers about the rules and controls
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. You can start a new round from the game controls.
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. The controls work with mouse or touch.
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 controls work with mouse or touch.
Which mistake should I avoid?
You cannot choose a card from the pile. War depends on the dealt order, not a discard strategy. The instructions above use these same rules.
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. The controls work with mouse or touch.
On this page, how many people can play here?
You vs computer. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. No download or player account is required.
For this game, is Ace high?
Yes. The order runs from two through king to Ace; suits are ignored. A new round resets the current game.
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. No download or player account is required.
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. You can start a new round from the game controls.
Can I choose which card to play?
No. Each battle turns the next top card from each face-down pile. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.