Game guide · 5AICAKE
War: how a round works
Win both face-up cards with the higher rank and try to collect the whole deck. The game area remains available above the explanation. 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
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. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Understand the aim
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. Win both face-up cards with the higher rank and try to collect the whole deck. The game area remains available above the explanation.
The playing sequence
- 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
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.
A closer look at one 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.
A common point of confusion
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.
Helpful answers for players
For this game, 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. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
When I start, 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. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
When I start, 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.
When I start, 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 instructions above use these same rules.
How many people can play here?
You vs computer. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. The controls work with mouse or touch.
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. No download or player account is required.
Why was the round drawn?
Both players ran short at the same point in a war, or the 500-battle limit was reached. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
During a round, 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.