How to play „War”: the history, rules and variants of the card game

„War” is a card game for 2 or more players, in which each one turns over a card in turn, and the one with the higher value takes the other. The winner is the player who gathers all the cards in the deck by the end. It requires no strategy and depends almost entirely on luck, which makes it one of the easiest card games to learn.

Where the game comes from

„War” is a fairly old and fairly simple card game, played by 2 or more people. You turn over a card, compare the values with those of the other players, and the higher card wins.

Starting from the basic physical game, a casino version later appeared, called „Casino War”. It keeps the same core idea but changes the opponent, because the player no longer competes against other people, but against the dealer.

What you need and the objective

You need an ordinary deck of 52 cards and a playing partner (or partners). Normally the jokers are removed, unless you decide in advance to use them. The objective is a single one: to be left with all the cards at the end.

The cards are compared by value, in the familiar order. The lowest is 2, followed by the rest up to 10, then the jack, queen and king, while the Ace beats them all. The suit plays no role, so 2 cards of the same value are equal, regardless of colour.

The basic rules

The deck is shuffled and split in 2 (or among however many people are playing), until all the cards are dealt. They stay face down, and the players don’t look at them. From here, the game repeats the same way each round:

1. Both turn over the top card of their own deck at the same time.
2. The card with the higher value wins both.
3. The won cards are placed at the bottom of your own deck.
4. You continue until one player runs out of cards.

If you prefer games where decisions matter, you’ll find them on Slot.md in the table games section, from roulette to blackjack.

The tie situation

The name of the game comes from the moment when both players turn over cards of the same value. A „war” is then declared, and the round follows a special procedure. Each player lays down 3 cards face down and a 4th face up, and the higher face-up card wins everything gathered on the table. If these too are equal, the procedure is repeated until there’s a winner.

A player who runs out of cards during a „war” loses the game, because they can no longer supply the cards the rule requires.

How the game ends

The game ends when one player gathers all 52 cards and the other is left with none. The length varies a lot from one game to another, because it depends entirely on how the cards circulate between the 2 players. Some end quickly, others can drag on, especially when repeated „wars” come up.

Common variants

• „War” with 3 or 4 players: The deck is split among everyone, and the highest card wins the round. If the tie occurs only between some of them, only those enter the „war”.
• „War” with jokers: The jokers stay in the deck and become the most powerful cards, above the Ace.
• Double „war”: On a tie, more cards are placed face down, so each round won brings more cards.

The casino version: Casino War

Casino War is the adaptation of the classic game for the casino table and one of the simplest games of its kind. In this online casino game, you get a card, the dealer gets a card, and the one with the higher value wins the round.

The difference appears on a tie, where you have a choice between 2 options. You can surrender, in which case you give up the round and lose half your stake, or you can go to „war”, by adding an extra stake. In the 2nd case, the dealer burns a few cards, one new card is dealt each, and the showdown decides the result.

The exact rules and payouts differ from one table to another, so they’re worth reading before you play, just like at the other dealer games in the live casino section. Unlike the classic version, here there’s a moment of decision and a set house edge, exactly as in how to play blackjack.

Conclusion

„War” is a simple card game, good for anyone looking for a card game with easy rules and quick rounds. In its classic form, it’s a game based on luck, while at the casino it becomes a table game with fixed rules and a single decision, on a tie.

Slot.md is the only legally licensed online casino in the Republic of Moldova, and access to the games is allowed only for people over the age of 21. Play for entertainment, set yourself time and budget limits, and use the responsible gambling options whenever you feel you need them.

Frequently asked questions

1. How many players can play „War”?

The classic version is played by 2, but there are also forms for 3 or 4 players, in which the deck is split among everyone.

2. What is the most powerful card in „War”?

The Ace, in the standard rules. If the version with jokers is played, they become the most powerful cards, above the ace.

3. What happens on a tie?

A „war” is declared. Each player lays down a few cards face down and one face up, and the higher card wins everything gathered on the table.

4. Does the suit of the cards matter?

No. In „War” only the value matters, so 2 cards of equal value are the same, regardless of the suit.

5. What is Casino War?

It’s the casino version of the game, in which you play against the dealer. You get a card, the dealer gets one, and the higher one wins. On a tie, you choose between surrender and „war”.