Game Rules
WarThe World's Simplest Card Game
No skill, no strategy – just luck. Two players reveal cards, the higher card wins.
Players2
Duration10 – 20 Min
Deck52 Cards
LevelEasy
I · Game Idea
Higher Wins –
Always
I
War is the simplest card game ever. Both players simultaneously reveal a card – whoever has the higher card wins both. The player with all the cards at the end wins.
No bluffing, no strategy, no decisions. Pure luck – perfect for children or as a pastime.
II · Preparation
Before the
Game Begins
II
1
Shuffle Cards
Shuffle all 52 cards thoroughly.
2
Deal
Divide the deck equally: 26 cards per player, face down in front of them.
3
Order
Ace is the highest card. 2 is the lowest.
III · Card Values
How War
Works
Works
III
↑
Higher Card
Wins Both
Whoever reveals the higher card takes both cards and places them at the bottom of their pile.
=
Tie
War!
If cards are equal: War. Each player lays 3 cards face down and one face up – the higher face-up card wins all.
A
Ace
Highest Card
The Ace beats everything – even the King.
∞
No End
Just Patience
A game of War can theoretically last forever – some rounds go on for hours.
IV · Gameplay
Round by
Round
IV
1
Reveal Simultaneously
Both players reveal the top card.
2
Compare
Higher card wins both cards.
3
War
In case of a tie: 3 cards face down + 1 face up. Higher face-up card wins all 10.
4
Repeat
Continue until one player has all 52 cards.
5
Win
Whoever has all 52 cards wins. Alternatively: whoever has more cards after a set time wins.
V · Variants
Variants
V
War is known by various names in many cultures.
B
Bataille
French variant: identical, different name.
S
Schlacht
German variant: sometimes played with trumps.
3
Three-Player
With three players: 17 cards each, one remains.
K
Fast War
Time limit: 10 minutes. Whoever has more cards wins.
Berlin Hold'em · Matching Decks
Get the Matching Deck
War only needs one deck and two players – ideal for a quick round in between.
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