War

How to play War

Each player receives 26 face-down cards. Flip both top cards: the higher rank wins both, which return to the bottom of the winner’s deck. Aces are high; suits do not matter. War involves no strategic choices. The computer flips alongside you.

A tie starts a war: each side puts three cards down and a fourth face up. The higher card takes the entire pot; another tie repeats the war. A player unable to supply four cards loses; if both are short, the shorter deck loses, with equal shortages drawing. Captured cards are shuffled before returning to the deck.

Capture every card to win. The score shows cards held and battles captured. Auto-play can be paused. A repeated complete state or 10,000 battles ends in a clearly labelled safety draw.

Rules reference: Pagat’s War rules. This page uses original text and card artwork.

Questions

Are aces high in War?

Yes. Ace beats king, then queen, jack and 10 down to 2.

What happens when tied cards appear?

Each player puts three cards face down and one face up. The higher exposed card captures the entire pot.