Game guide · ZGHEHE
War: instructions and practice
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. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
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.
A small practice goal
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.
What counts as success
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. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
The steps to play
- 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.
Making selections and moves
Press Turn cards for one battle, or Play 10 battles to advance ten battles without choosing cards. The game area remains available above the explanation.
An example to follow
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing 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.
Where a round can go wrong
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. 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.
More answers before you play
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.
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 game is played locally in your browser.
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. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
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 instructions above use these same rules.
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 worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
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.
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. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
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. The controls work with mouse or touch.
During a round, 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.
