War Card Game

War is the simplest card game there is: you and the computer flip cards at the same time and the higher card takes both. Play this free War card game the classic way until one side holds the whole deck, or pick a quick mode when you only have a few minutes.

How to play War Card Game

• The deck is shuffled and split evenly: you and the computer each get 26 cards, face down.
• Each battle, both players flip their top card. The higher card wins and both cards go to the bottom of the winner's pile. Aces are high, then K, Q, J, 10 down to 2. Suits do not matter.
• If the two cards are the same rank, it is war: each player lays 3 cards face down and then flips one more. The higher of those new cards takes every card on the table.
• If the new cards tie again, the war repeats. A player who runs short of cards keeps their last card to flip face up; a player with no cards left loses the battle.
• Classic: play until one side has all 52 cards. First to 10 battles: the first player to win 10 battles wins. 3-minute game: when the clock runs out, whoever holds more cards wins.

Controls

• Tap your deck or the Flip button (or press Enter or Space) to play the next battle.
• Auto-play (or A) flips for you at the speed picked in the toolbar. Tap it again to stop.
• Skip to end plays out every remaining battle at once. In the 3-minute game it ends the game on the current card count.
• Choose Game length in the toolbar to switch between Classic, First to 10 battles and the 3-minute game.

Tips

• War is a game of pure luck, so it is a great first card game for young players learning to compare numbers.
• A classic game can run for hundreds of battles. Turn on fast auto-play, or try the shorter modes for a quick game.
• Wars swing the game: one war moves at least 10 cards, so a player who is far behind can catch up fast.

FAQ

How do you play the War card game?

Both players flip their top card at the same time and the higher card wins both. When the cards match, each player puts three cards face down and flips a fourth; the higher fourth card wins the whole pile.

Is War all luck?

Yes. Neither player makes any choices, so the shuffle decides everything. That makes it relaxing and fair for players of any age.

How long does a game of War take?

A full game to 52 cards often takes a few hundred battles. Use auto-play or Skip to end, or pick First to 10 battles or the 3-minute game for something shorter.

What happens if I run out of cards during a war?

If you have fewer than four cards, you keep your last card to flip face up and put the rest face down. If you have no cards at all, you lose that battle and the game.

Is my game saved?

Yes. Your cards and the battle count are saved in this browser, so you can come back and keep playing.