Game guide · XJBILLIARDS
The War playbook
Read the position before choosing your 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. 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.
Build familiarity through play
The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. 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.
What you need to achieve
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. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
From the start of a round
- 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.
Choosing and moving on screen
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.
One way to understand the rules
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. 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. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Check this before moving on
A careful first move helps you understand the round. 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.
Clarifying the way this game works
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. The controls work with mouse or touch.
How do the controls work?
Press Turn cards for one battle, or Play 10 battles to advance ten battles without choosing cards. The instructions above use these same rules.
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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
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. The game is played locally in your browser.
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. You can start a new round from the game controls.
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.
Is Ace high?
Yes. The order runs from two through king to Ace; suits are ignored. You can start a new round from the game controls.
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.
When I start, why was the round drawn?
Both players ran short at the same point in a war, or the 500-battle limit was reached. A new round resets the current game.
When I start, can I choose which card to play?
No. Each battle turns the next top card from each face-down pile. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.