How to play SET
How to play SET Game Rules is explained in simple steps. Get your game started quickly.
If you are interested in games like SET, follow our abstract strategy and puzzles game guide.
Players: 1 to 20 | Game duration from: 25 mins | Game Complexity: EASY How to play SET rules in simple steps SET rules pdf / rulebook
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SET Game Rules FAQs
What is the goal of the game SET?
Players compete to identify a SET of 3 cards from 12 cards placed on the table. A SET is based on different card features.
How many cards in a SET deck?
There are 81 cards in a SET deck.
What is a SET in the game SET?
Cards in SET can be of 4 types of features: shape, color, number or shading). A SET comprises of 3 cards where features are same on each card or different on each card.
A SET must have 3 cards where features (shape, color, number, shading) are:
- same on each card or
- different on each card
All of the features must separately satisfy this rule.
For example, the shape must either be the same on all 3 cards or different on each of the 3 cards; the colour must be the same on all 3 cards or different on each of the 3, etc. See the examples below.
How to play SET the game in simple steps. You compete to identify a SET of 3 cards from 12 cards placed on the table. A SET is based on different card features.
Total Time: 30 minutes
The dealer lays the cards
Select a player to be the dealer who shuffles the cards and lays 12 face up on the table in a rectangle for all to see.
Calling the SET
You and the rest compete simultaneously to identify SETs of 3 cards from the 12 laid cards. There are no turns. Whoever calls the SET first controls the board. You must call the SET before picking up the cards. Once called, you must pick it up within a few seconds.
SET is verified
If you call and pick up a SET, it is verified by the other players. If it is correct, you keep it.
Unable to pick up a called SET or incorrect SET
If you are unable to pick up the SET after calling it or if the others have verified it as incorrect, you lose one point. If you picked up the cards, return them back to the table.
Your SET is correct
You keep the SET and the dealer replaces the cards with 3 from the deck.
All players are not able to identify a SET
If all of you agree, lay an additional row of 3 cards on the table. When the next SET is found, do not replace the additional 3 cards.
Game End and Scoring
The play continues until there are no more cards in the deck. At the end of the game, there may be cards left that do not form a SET. The number of SETs held by each player is then counted. You score 1 point for each SET. The player with the highest score wins.
SET Solo rules
When playing solo, if you do not find a SET, you get a penalty of 1 SET and lay down 3 more cards. You win the game by removing the penalty and finding a SET.
Examples of SETs
Shape feature: all cards the same
Color feature: all cards the same
Number Feature: all cards the same
Shading Feature: all cards different
All features separately satisfy the rule of all 3 cards being the same (shape, color, number) or all 3 cards being different (shading)
Shape feature: all cards different
Color feature: all cards different
Number Feature: all cards different
Shading Feature: all cards same
Shape feature: all cards different
Color feature: all cards different
Number Feature: all cards different
Shading Feature: all cards different
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