Find the Set

How to Play Find the Set

Your goal is to identify a "Set"—a special group of three cards—from the twelve laid out on the table. For any group of three cards to be a valid Set, each of the four features (Symbol, Color, Number, and Shading) must be either all the same or all different across the three cards. There is no middle ground. For example, a Set might have three cards that are all red, but have one, two, and three symbols respectively. Simply click or tap on the three cards you believe form a Set. If you're right, you score points and the cards are replaced. If you're wrong, you get a small penalty. Find as many Sets as you can before time expires!

Your Questions, Answered

What exactly is a "Set" in this pattern recognition game?

Think of it as the ultimate rule of consistency. A "Set" is three cards where, for each of the four traits, the attributes are either identical on all three cards or completely unique on all three cards. For color, this means the cards must be all red, or one red, one green, and one purple. If two are red and one is green, it's not a valid Set. This "all same or all different" rule must apply independently to all four features (symbol, number, color, shading) for the combination to be correct.

What are the best strategies for a beginner?

Don't try to see the whole Set at once. That's a rookie mistake that overwhelms your brain. Instead, pick two cards at random. Then, mentally "build" the third card that would complete the set with them. For example, if you have a card with one red diamond and a card with two green diamonds, you know the third card MUST have three purple diamonds to complete the set. Then, all you have to do is scan the board for that specific card. This focused approach is far more efficient. To sharpen these core skills, try other visual puzzles; a good memory challenge like Scary Memory can directly improve your ability to spot differences and similarities quickly.

Is there always a Set available on the board?

Not always, but it's very rare for a board of 12 cards to have no Set. In the official rules of the physical card game, if no Set is present, three more cards are dealt to the table to increase the possibilities. Our digital version of Find the Set ensures that a playable combination is almost always available to keep the action flowing.

Where can I find other high-quality browser games?

Once you've mastered this cognitive challenge, the world of browser gaming has plenty more to offer. For a massive, well-organized library of the web's most popular titles, a major hub like CrazyGames is an excellent place to discover your next obsession. And of course, if you're looking for our curated selection of top-tier titles, you can always explore the full ATM HTML5 Games collection right here.