The Family Game of Visual Perception
Features of the Cards
Rules
The object of the game is to identify a 'Set' of three cards
from 12 cards laid out on the table. Each card has a variation of the
following four features:
(A) Color:
Each card is red, green, or purple.
(B) Symbol:
Each card contains ovals, squiggles, or diamonds.
(C) Number:
Each card has one, two, or three symbols.
(D) Shading: Each card is solid, open, or striped.
A 'Set' consists of three cards in which each feature is EITHER the
same on each card OR is different on each card. That is to say, any
feature in the 'Set' of three cards is either common to all three cards or
is different on each card.
For example, the following are 'Sets':
All three cards are red; all are ovals; all have two
symbols; and all have different shadings.
All have different colors; all have different symbols;
all have different numbers of symbols; and all have the same shading.
All have different colors; all have different symbols;
all have different numbers of symbols, and all have different shadings.
The following are not 'Sets':
All have different colors; all are diamonds; all have one
symbol; however, two are open and one is not.
All are squiggles; all have different shadings; all have two
symbols; however, two are red and one is not.
The Magic Rule
If two are... and one is not, then it is not
a 'Set'.
Quick Start
For a quick introduction for anyone playing the card
version, and especially for children under six, start with the small
deck (just the red cards). This eliminates one feature,
color.
The Play
The dealer shuffles the cards and lays twelve cards (in
a rectangle) face up on the table so that they can be seen by all
players. The players remove a 'Set' of three cards as they are seen.
Each 'Set' is checked by the other players. If correct, the 'Set' is
kept by the player and the dealer replaces the three cards with three
from the deck. Players do not take turns but pick up 'Sets' as soon as
they see them. A player must call 'Set' before picking up the cards.
After a player has called 'Set', no other player can pick up cards until
the first player is finished. If a player calls 'Set' and does not have
one, the player loses one point. The three cards are returned to the
table.
If all players agree that there is no 'Set' in the twelve cards
showing, three more cards (making a total of fifteen) are laid face
up. These cards are not replaced when the next 'Set' is picked up,
reducing the number to twelve again. If solitaire is being played, the
player loses at this point.
The play continues until the deck is depleted. At the end of the play
there may be six or nine cards which do not form a 'Set'.
The number of 'Sets' held by each player are then counted, one point is
given for each and added to their score. The deal then passes to the
person on the dealer's left and the play resumes with the deck being
reshuffled.
When all players have dealt, the game ends; the highest score wins.
Length: 15-20 minutes
Awards: 1997
Parents' Choice Gold Award,
Mensa Select 1991, Games Magazine Top 100 games 1992, 1993,
1994, 1995, The Canadian Toy Testing Council Highest rating 1992, OMNI
Magazine Top Game 1991, Consumer's Association of Quebec Highest rating
1992, Detroit News Highest rating 1993.
Vendor: Set Enterprises
