How to play War

The objective

Your goal is simple: flip cards simultaneously and capture the higher card. This guide uses the most common beginner-friendly rules. Families and groups may agree on variations before starting.

What you need

A standard 52-card deck.

How to set up

1. Shuffle and deal all cards evenly, face down.
2. Keep cards in piles without looking at them.

How to play: step by step

1. Both players flip their top card.
2. The higher rank takes both cards.
3. On a tie, place cards face down and another face up for war.
4. Win by collecting the entire deck, or set a time limit and count cards.

Beginner strategies

• Use a time limit for shorter games.
• Agree how to handle a player who lacks enough war cards.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Shuffling captured cards unless your chosen rules allow it.
• Arguing over tie procedure instead of agreeing first.

Frequently asked questions