Skip to content
GDXIANGSHUN

RULES & PRACTICE

How to Play War

Play War ↗

Game guide · GDXIANGSHUN

The War playbook

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

An idea for your next attempt

On equal ranks, each side places one card face down and another face up. Repeat if those face-up ranks also tie. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.

What you need to achieve

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.

How a round unfolds

  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.

How to interact with the game

The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. 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.

One way to understand the rules

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

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.

Clarifying the way this game works

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. A new round resets the current game.

How do the controls work?

Press Turn cards for one battle, or Play 10 battles to advance ten battles without choosing cards. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.

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 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. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.

During a round, 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.

When I start, how many people can play here?

You vs computer. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. The game is played locally in your browser.

On this page, is Ace high?

Yes. The order runs from two through king to Ace; suits are ignored. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.

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.

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. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.

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.

Choose a Card Game (opens in a new tab)