War (card game)
A simple, random card game often played by children.
War, also known as Battle in the United Kingdom, is a simple card game typically played by two players using a standard playing card deck. It is often played by children and has many variations, as well as related games such as the German 32-card Tod und Leben ('Death and Life'). The objective of the game is to win all of the cards.
- Type
- Card game
- Players
- 2 or more
- Deck
- Standard 52-card deck (or 32-card Skat pack in variants)
- Objective
- Win all cards
- Known for
- Simple, random gameplay with no player choices
- Variants
- Casino War, Prisoners of War, Bettelmann, Tod und Leben, Automatic War, Peace, Underdog
Lore & Background
War is played by dividing the deck evenly among players, each receiving a down stack. In unison, each player reveals the top card of their deck—a 'battle'—and the player with the higher card takes both cards. Aces are high, and suits are ignored. If the two cards are equal, a 'war' occurs: both players place the next card face down and then another card face-up. The owner of the higher face-up card wins the war and adds all cards on the table to the bottom of their deck. If the face-up cards are again equal, the battle repeats until one player's face-up card is higher.
Reader's Guide
War is notable for its simplicity and lack of player agency, leading game designer Greg Costikyan to observe that since there are no choices in the game, and all outcomes are random, it cannot be considered a game by some definitions. However, the rules often do not specify in which order the cards should be returned to the deck. If they are returned in a non-random order, the decision of putting one card before another after a victory can change the overall outcome. The effects of such decisions are more visible with smaller decks, as it is easier for a player to card count, but the decisions can still affect gameplay with standard decks. War has many recorded variants, including Casino War (played for money), Prisoners of War (involving capturing cards), and German variants like Bettelmann and Tod und Leben, which use a 32-card Skat pack. The game's enduring popularity stems from its accessibility and the fact that it can be played by children with minimal instruction.
Did You Know?
- War is also known as Battle in the United Kingdom.
- Game designer Greg Costikyan observed that since there are no choices in the game, and all outcomes are random, it cannot be considered a game by some definitions.
- In the German variant Tod und Leben, one player plays with red suits and the other with black suits.
- Most descriptions of War are unclear about what happens if a player runs out of cards during a war.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is War (card game)?
War is a straightforward two-player card game in which each participant flips the top card of their pile and the higher rank claims both. It is one of the simplest card games in existence, which is exactly why it has become a staple for kids around the world.
How do you actually play War?
Each player deals half a standard 52-card deck to themselves, then simultaneously reveals the top card of their stack. The player whose card is higher sweeps both into the bottom of their pile, and the round repeats until one player holds every card.
What happens when two cards tie in War?
A tie triggers a 'war,' where each player lays down one face-down card followed by one face-up card. The higher face-up card grabs all the contested cards, and if another tie occurs the process simply repeats.
What are popular variations of War?
Well-known variants include Casino War, Prisoners of War, Bettelmann, and the German 32-card game Tod und Leben, each adding a small twist to the basic flip-and-compare loop. In the United Kingdom the game is more commonly called 'Battle.'
Why is War such a hit with children?
Because there is no strategy, memory, or complex rulebook to learn—just flip a card and compare ranks—so even very young kids can jump straight in. Its fast, random pace keeps the game fresh and exciting without any learning curve.
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