Game guide · CQMELISSA
War: a guide for your next round
The board gives you the information needed for the next 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. 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.
Bring this focus to a round
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. 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
Check the rule below as you play. 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.
A walkthrough of the rules
- 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.
Input guidance
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. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
See the idea in action
A careful first move helps you understand the round. 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 area remains available above the explanation.
A common point of confusion
Take a moment to check the current turn. 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.
Questions that come up during play
During a round, what is the aim of War?
Win both face-up cards with the higher rank and try to collect the whole deck. You can start a new round from the game controls.
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.
During a round, 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 worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
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 worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
How many people can play here?
You vs computer. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
During a round, is Ace high?
Yes. The order runs from two through king to Ace; suits are ignored. The instructions above use these same rules.
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. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
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. The worked example offers another way to follow the 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.
