Game guide · XINNINGBAO
An introduction to playing War
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. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction. 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.
Give this approach a try
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 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.
Work through the instructions
- 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.
Getting comfortable with the controls
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. Press Turn cards for one battle, or Play 10 battles to advance ten battles without choosing cards. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
An example to follow
The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. 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. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
A mistake to avoid
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your action. 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
For this 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.
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.
On this page, 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.
During a round, 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.
For this game, 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 game is played locally in your browser.
When I start, how many people can play here?
You vs computer. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
For this game, 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. A new round resets the current game.
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. You can start a new round from the game controls.
When I start, can I choose which card to play?
No. Each battle turns the next top card from each face-down pile. No download or player account is required.
