Game guide · 2COPE
Making your first moves in War
Check the rule below as you play. Win both face-up cards with the higher rank and try to collect the whole deck. 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.
Give this approach a try
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 the game asks you to do
Read the position before choosing your next action. Win both face-up cards with the higher rank and try to collect the whole deck.
Making your moves
- 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.
Using the playing area
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your 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.
Try this 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 this in mind
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. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Common questions
What is the aim of War?
Win both face-up cards with the higher rank and try to collect the whole deck. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
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 instructions above use these same rules.
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 controls work with mouse or touch.
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 controls work with mouse or touch.
During a round, how many people can play here?
You vs computer. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
When I start, is Ace high?
Yes. The order runs from two through king to Ace; suits are ignored. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
During a round, 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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
On this page, 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. You can start a new round from the game controls.
