Game guide · FONPER
Learn your way around War
Read the position before choosing your next action. 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.
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 counts as success
Check the rule below as you play. 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 order of 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
The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. 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.
An example to follow
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. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
A useful caution
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. 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.
Common questions
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. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
On this page, how do the controls work?
Press Turn cards for one battle, or Play 10 battles to advance ten battles without choosing cards. No download or player account is required.
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. No download or player account is required.
For this game, which mistake should I avoid?
You cannot choose a card from the pile. War depends on the dealt order, not a discard strategy. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
During a round, 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. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
When I start, how many people can play here?
You vs computer. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. The controls work with mouse or touch.
When I start, 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.
For this game, 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 instructions above use these same rules.
Why was the round drawn?
Both players ran short at the same point in a war, or the 500-battle limit was reached. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
For this game, can I choose which card to play?
No. Each battle turns the next top card from each face-down pile. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
