Description
Instructions
War again: if the face-up cards are equal too, the War carries on with another card down and another card up each, until one face-up card is higher.
Not enough cards: a player who runs short plays what they have. With one card left, it goes face up with no face-down card. With none left, their last face-up card stays in as their card for the rest of that War.
Winning: the game ends when one player has all 52 cards.
Strategy and Tips
Let chance do its thing
War has no winning strategy. You cannot choose your next card, and neither player can see the order of the piles. Timing your flips, counting cards or changing your pace will not improve your chance of winning.
Read the result before flipping
The revealed cards and battle result stay on the table until your next flip. Take a moment to compare the ranks and see who won. Flipping again sends the cards to the winner and begins the next battle.
Remember the card order
Ace beats King, followed by Queen, Jack and 10 down to 2. Suits have no effect. If you are playing with a child, each reveal is a chance to practise recognising cards and comparing their ranks.
Watch the cards at stake
A War can move several cards at once. Read the on-screen total to see how many cards the winner will collect. WAR 2 or WAR 3 means the face-up cards have tied again and the same War is continuing.
Treat LOW as a count, not a result
LOW appears when a player has five cards or fewer. It does not mean the game is already over. The winner is decided only when one side has all 52 cards.
Expect runs of wins and losses
A winning streak does not guarantee another win, and a losing streak does not make a win due. Cards can move back and forth, so play can continue for a long time. Neither a streak nor a long game means you are doing anything wrong.
Choose a comfortable pace
Use Flip, tap your pile or press Enter or Space to continue. Read each result at your own pace. Faster or slower play changes how quickly you move through battles, not which cards win.
Use the help when you need it
Gameplay tips start on, with each tip appearing twice before it stops. You can turn them off, or open the Rules panel to check how play works. Sound is off by default.
Check the final totals
At the end, look at the number of battles, the number of Wars and the biggest War. These describe how the game unfolded; they are not a measure of skill.
Frequently asked questions
How do you play War?
You play against the computer. A shuffled 52-card deck is split into two face-down piles of 26. Flip to reveal both top cards together. The higher card wins both, and the aim is to collect all 52 cards.
Which card is highest?
Ace is highest, followed by King, Queen, Jack and the numbered cards from 10 down to 2. Suits do not matter, and there are no jokers.
How do I flip the cards?
Tap Flip, tap your pile or press Enter or Space. The game is fully playable with the keyboard.
Why do the cards stay on the table after a battle?
The two revealed cards and the result remain visible until you flip again. That next flip sends the cards to the winner and starts the next battle.
Where do won cards go?
Won cards are shuffled and placed face down at the bottom of the winner's pile.
What happens when both cards have the same rank?
A War begins. Each side puts down one card face down and one face up. The higher face-up card wins every card in that War. The screen shows how many cards are at stake.
What happens if a War ties again?
The War repeats until one face-up card is higher. The screen marks the continuing stages as WAR 2, WAR 3 and so on.
What if a player runs short of cards during a War?
A player with only one card plays it face up without adding a face-down card. A player with no cards left keeps their last face-up card as their card for the rest of that War.
What if both players run out during a War and still tie?
In this very rare case, each player takes back their own cards and play carries on.
Is there a strategy for winning War?
No. War is pure chance. You make no decisions that change who wins, and timing, card counting or playing faster cannot improve your chance of winning.
What does the LOW marker mean?
It appears when either player has five cards or fewer. Both players' card counts are always shown.
When does the game end?
The game ends when one player has all 52 cards. The end screen shows the number of battles, the number of Wars and the biggest War.
Can I turn off gameplay tips or turn on sound?
Yes. Gameplay tips are optional and start on. Each tip appears twice, then stops. Sound is optional and starts off.
Can I start a new game?
Yes. Choose New Game. During a game, it asks “Sure?” before you restart.