Boardgame Beast reviews The Set game

Game:
Set
Game manufacturer:
Set Enterprises
Number of players:
3-4 (5 with expansion)

Quick Verdict

Set, like some classic board games, is easy to learn but not so simple to master. This game of pattern recognition can be very engaging, lots of fun, and quite frustrating, often at the same time. It is as addictive as it is deceptively simple. An excellent mental workout well recommended for anyone old enough to grasp its concept.

A card game of pattern recognition, Set is challenging, simple to learn and has a strong replay value. The very easy concept, coupled with a compulsive "just one more go" appeal makes it an excellent family game.

The game

Each card in a SET Game deck has one of three variations for each of the four identifying features: shape (oval, squiggle, diamond); color (shapes are red, purple, or green); shading (just an outline, solid, or striped); and number (there are one, two, or three shapes per card).

A few examples to illustrate those numbers. A card might have three red outlined squiggles, or two purple solid ovals, or one green shaded oval. Starting to get the picture? If not, see the picture at the right.

Twelve cards are dealt out, generally in a 3 x 4 grid, and everyone at the table attempts to identify a 'set' of cards. A set consists of three cards on which each feature is the same for all three (all red, for example) or different for all three (perhaps one of each color).

Just remember this rule: all or none has to hold for all four identifying features. To quote the company's website, "The magic rule: If two are... and one is not, then it is not a 'Set'."

When someone sees a set they call out 'Set!' and pick up those three cards. If they were right, they keep the cards, gain a point, and the dealer puts out three new cards.

If they were wrong and the trio is not a set, the cards are put back and the player loses a point. There are no turns in the game: anyone can call out 'Set!' as soon as they spy one, and play only pauses long enough to let them gather those cards.

If everyone agrees there is no set to be made from the twelve cards on the table, three more cards are temporarily dealt out (temporarily because they are not replaced when someone next claims a SET.The table should typically only contain twelve cards).

Play continues until there are no cards left to be dealt and no more sets possible on the table, at which point the round is over. The dealer rotates and another hand is dealt.

After everyone has dealt, the game ends with the highest point total winning. You can easily vary the rules about dealing, rotating, and how many hands you want to play to suit your needs.

Click here to read part two of the Set game review