SetWithFriends.netSet Game FAQ
New to the card game Set or to playing it online? These frequently asked questions cover the rules, scoring, game modes, and how to play with friends on Set With Friends.
What is Set?
Set is a fast-paced pattern-recognition card game. The deck has 81 unique cards, and every card has four features: number (1, 2, or 3 symbols), color (red, green, or purple), shape (oval, squiggle, or diamond), and shading (solid, striped, or open). Players race to spot groups of three cards that form a valid "Set" based on those four features.
Is Set With Friends free to play?
Yes. Set With Friends is completely free. You can play as many games as you like, solo or with friends, with no cost, no ads interrupting play, and no paywalls.
Do I need an account to play?
No account or sign-up is required. You can jump straight into a game and start playing right away. You can optionally set a display name and color so friends can recognize you in multiplayer games.
What three cards make a Set?
Three cards form a Set when, for each of the four features, the values are either all the same or all different across the three cards. This must hold for number, color, shape, and shading at the same time. If even one feature has exactly two cards matching and one card different, the three cards are not a Set.
Can a layout of cards have no Set in it?
Yes. In the standard game 12 cards are dealt to the table. It is possible for 12 cards to contain no valid Set, in which case 3 more cards are added to the layout until a Set becomes available. Interestingly, any two cards have exactly one unique third card that completes a Set with them.
How does scoring work?
Each valid Set you find earns you a point, and the three cards are removed from the table and replaced. The player who has collected the most Sets when the deck is exhausted and no Sets remain wins the game. Selecting three cards that are not a valid Set does not earn a point.
Can I play Set by myself?
Absolutely. You can play solo to practice, learn the patterns, or just relax. Solo play uses the same rules as multiplayer, so it is a great way to sharpen your speed before challenging friends.
What game modes and variants are available?
Besides Normal (classic Set), the site offers several variants. Set Junior is a simpler beginner-friendly mode using a reduced deck, ideal for kids and newcomers. UltraSet asks you to find four cards forming two pairs that complete to the same third card. Set Chain requires each new set to reuse exactly one card from the previously found set. Each mode keeps the core spot-the-pattern feel while adding its own twist.
Is the game multiplayer and real-time?
Yes. Set With Friends is a real-time, multiplayer experience. Everyone in a room sees the same board update instantly, so you can compete head-to-head and watch Sets disappear the moment another player claims them.
How do I play with friends?
Create a game room and share its link with your friends. Anyone who opens the link joins the same room and plays on the same live board. There is no installation or invite system to wrestle with, just send the URL and start playing together.
What devices and browsers are supported?
Set With Friends runs in any modern web browser on desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone. It is also an installable Progressive Web App (PWA), so you can add it to your home screen or desktop for a quick, app-like launch without visiting an app store.
Want a step-by-step walkthrough with examples? Read our How to Play Set guide.