Game guide · SHOUJIKON
How to play War
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. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction. 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.
Bring this focus to a round
Read the position before choosing your 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 are aiming for
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your 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.
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.
Your inputs
Take a moment to check the current turn. 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.
See the idea in action
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.
Avoid this misunderstanding
A careful first move helps you understand the round. You cannot choose a card from the pile. War depends on the dealt order, not a discard strategy. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Further help with the game
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.
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. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
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. A new round resets the current game.
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. No download or player account is required.
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.
For this game, 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.
Is Ace high?
Yes. The order runs from two through king to Ace; suits are ignored. The instructions above use these same rules.
On this page, 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.
Why was the round drawn?
Both players ran short at the same point in a war, or the 500-battle limit was reached. The game is played locally in your browser.
On this page, can I choose which card to play?
No. Each battle turns the next top card from each face-down pile. Use the labelled controls for your next action.