War glossary: A complete reference of War card game terminology, covering the base game and popular variants like Egyptian Ratscrew, Slap Jack, and Casino War.

A

Ace — The highest-ranked card in standard War. An Ace beats every other card, including King. In some house rules, Ace may be played as low (rank 1) or as part of a circular ranking where it beats King but loses to 2.

Ante — In Casino War, the initial bet placed before cards are dealt. The Ante is the primary wager on each hand.

B

Bad slap — In Egyptian Ratscrew and Slap Jack, an incorrect slap on the pile (when no valid slapping condition is present). A bad slap typically results in a penalty — the offending player must give one or more cards to the bottom of the pile.

Bataille — The French name for War. Literally means “battle.” The French game is essentially identical to the English-language version.

Battle — A single round of play in War. Both players flip their top cards, compare ranks, and the higher card wins. Each flip-and-compare cycle is one battle.

Burn — In Casino War, cards dealt face-down and discarded before the war resolution. Typically three cards are burned during a Casino War tie.

C

Casino War — A casino table game based on the War card game. Played with six decks, one player vs. one dealer, with real-money betting. The house edge is approximately 2.88%.

Circular ranking — A house rule where Ace beats King but loses to 2, creating a circular hierarchy where no single card dominates all others.

Comparing game — The broader category of card games to which War belongs. In comparing games, players reveal cards and compare values, with the highest (or lowest) value winning.

D

Deal — The act of distributing cards at the start of the game. In standard War, the entire 52-card deck is dealt evenly — 26 cards to each player.

Deck — A standard set of 52 playing cards (no jokers) used in War. Casino War uses six decks shuffled together.

Double war — A war within a war. When the face-up cards during a war also tie, another war is triggered. A double war puts 10 cards at stake.

Doubles — In Egyptian Ratscrew, two cards of the same rank played consecutively (e.g., 7 followed by 7). Doubles are a valid slapping condition.

Draw pile — Each player’s face-down stack of cards from which they flip during play.

E

Egyptian Ratscrew (ERS) — A popular War variant that combines War and Beggar-My-Neighbour mechanics with slapping rules from Snap. Players slap the pile when specific card patterns appear. Also called Egyptian Rat Slap.

Elimination — In multiplayer War, a player who runs out of cards is eliminated from the game. The game continues until one player remains.

F

Face card — A Jack, Queen, or King. In War, face cards rank above all numbered cards (Jack=11, Queen=12, King=13 in relative value), with Ace ranking above all face cards.

Face-down — A card placed with its number/suit side hidden. In War, the cards placed during a war tie-breaker are face-down, adding risk and excitement.

Face-up — A card placed with its number/suit side visible. During each battle, cards are flipped face-up for comparison.

Flip — The act of turning over the top card from a player’s draw pile, placing it face-up for comparison.

H

House edge — In Casino War, the mathematical advantage the casino holds over the player. The standard Casino War house edge is approximately 2.88% on the Ante bet.

House rules — Unofficial rule variations agreed upon by players before the game starts. Common house rules in War include the number of face-down cards during a war and how to handle running out of cards.

P

Pile — A stack of cards. In War, each player has a draw pile (face-down cards to play from) and places won cards at the bottom. The central pile is where face-up cards are placed during battles.

Pot — All the cards at stake in a single battle or war. During a standard war, the pot contains six cards (two tied cards, two face-down, two face-up).

R

Rank — The numerical or face value of a card. In War, ranks from high to low are: A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2. Suits are irrelevant.

S

Sacrifice card — The face-down card placed during a war. It’s called a sacrifice because it contributes to the pot without being compared.

Sandwich — In Egyptian Ratscrew, two cards of the same rank with one different card between them (e.g., 5-9-5). A valid slapping condition.

Simultaneous flip — Both players turning over their top card at the same time. Simultaneous flipping prevents any advantage from seeing the opponent’s card first.

Slap — In Slap Jack and Egyptian Ratscrew, the act of hitting the central pile with your hand to claim the cards. The first player to correctly slap wins the pile.

Slap Jack — A War variant where players slap the pile when a Jack appears. Simpler than Egyptian Ratscrew, suitable for younger children.

Speed War — A War variant where players flip cards as fast as possible rather than simultaneously. Speed and reflexes determine the winner.

Suit — The symbol on a card: hearts, diamonds, clubs, or spades. Suits do not matter in War.

Surrender — In Casino War, the option to forfeit half the Ante when a tie occurs rather than going to war. Mathematically inferior to going to war.

T

Tie — When both players flip cards of the same rank, triggering a war. Ties occur approximately 5.9% of the time in a standard game.

Triple war — Three consecutive wars — the initial tie, a tie during the first war, and another tie during the second war. Extremely rare, putting 14 cards at stake.

W

War — (1) The card game itself. (2) The tie-breaking procedure triggered when both players flip cards of equal rank. During a war, face-down and face-up cards are placed, with the higher face-up card winning all cards.

Win pile — Won cards placed at the bottom of a player’s draw pile. Some house rules use a separate win pile that is shuffled when the draw pile is exhausted.

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