No, there is not always a "Set" among the initial twelve cards dealt in the popular card game Set. The game's rules explicitly account for situations where no Set is immediately present.
Understanding the Game of Set
The game Set involves identifying specific combinations of cards. Each card in the game has four features, and for each feature, there are three possible values:
- Color: Red, Green, Purple
- Symbol: Oval, Squiggle, Diamond
- Shading: Solid, Striped, Open
- Number: One, Two, Three
A "Set" consists of three cards where, for each of the four features, the cards are either all the same or all different. For example, three cards that are all red, all squiggles, all solid, and all showing one symbol would form a Set. Similarly, three cards that are different colors (red, green, purple), different symbols (oval, squiggle, diamond), different shading (solid, striped, open), and different numbers (one, two, three) would also form a Set.
When No Set is Present
While the game is designed to be challenging and relies on visual recognition, it is possible for the initial twelve cards laid out on the table to not contain any valid Set. In such scenarios, the game's rules provide a mechanism to ensure play can continue:
- Additional Cards Dealt: If players collectively agree that no Set can be found among the current twelve cards, the dealer will deal three additional cards onto the table.
- Expanding the Field: This increases the total number of cards in play to fifteen.
- Continued Dealing: If a Set is still not found among the fifteen cards, another three cards can be dealt, bringing the total to eighteen, and so on, until a Set is visible or the deck is exhausted. This process ensures that, eventually, a Set will almost certainly become available for players to find, allowing the game to progress.
This rule demonstrates that the presence of a Set is not guaranteed at every moment during the game, particularly with the initial twelve cards. The game's mechanics are designed to accommodate these instances, ensuring a continuous and engaging experience.
