how do you play the card game setback

3 min read 24-11-2024

Setback is a fast-paced, strategic card game perfect for 2-4 players. Its simple rules belie a depth of tactical play that keeps players engaged. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to master Setback.

What You'll Need to Play Setback

One standard deck of 52 playing cards. No jokers are needed.
2-4 players.

The Goal of Setback

The goal of Setback is to be the first player to reach a predetermined score, typically 500 points. This is accomplished by melding sets of cards and capturing tricks.

Setting Up the Game

Shuffle the deck thoroughly.
Deal each player 8 cards. This is done one at a time, rotating around the table.
Place the remaining cards face down in the center of the table to form the stock pile.
Turn over the top card of the stock pile to start the discard pile. This card starts the discard pile.

Gameplay: Turns and Actions

Each player's turn consists of these steps:

Draw a card: You must begin your turn by drawing a card. You can either take the top card from the stock pile or take the top card from the discard pile. The discard pile is usually the preferred option if it contains cards that will benefit your meld or trick taking strategy.
Meld (Optional): Before playing a card, you can choose to meld. Melding involves laying down sets of cards of the same rank (like three 7s) or runs of the same suit (like 5, 6, 7 of hearts). Different melds have different point values (see scoring below).
Play a card: After drawing and melding, you must play a card face up into the center of the table. This initiates the trick.
Trick Taking: The player who played the highest card of the lead suit wins the trick (Aces are high). If someone plays a trump suit, that takes priority over the other cards. The trump suit changes each round (explained later). The winner of the trick collects all the played cards and places them face down in front of them.
Continue playing: The winner of the trick leads the next trick, starting a new round. The game continues until one player reaches the target score.

Trump Suits and the "Go"

The trump suit changes with each new round (hand). The first round's trump suit is determined by the first card turned over to form the discard pile. This is the upcard.

Go: A player can choose to "go" (discard a card), instead of playing a card during a trick. This can be a strategic choice, particularly if you are certain you can't win the trick and prefer to save your cards for more favorable opportunities, or if you have a strong meld planned.

Scoring

Points are earned in two ways:

Melds:
- Three of a kind: 30 points
- Four of a kind: 100 points
- Five of a kind: 200 points
- Run of three: 20 points. You can meld several runs to get more points.
- Run of four: 40 points
- Run of five: 60 points (5 consecutive cards of the same suit)
Tricks: Each trick that you win during a round is worth 10 points.

Winning the Game

The first player to reach the predetermined score (usually 500 points) wins the game.

Advanced Strategies

Trump Suit Management: Knowing the trump suit is crucial. Plan your plays to win tricks when you can, but don't be afraid to go if you have a stronger chance of winning later tricks.
Meld Optimization: Aim to meld early and often to secure points. But, don't let melding prevent you from winning crucial tricks that could lead you to victory.
Opponent Observation: Pay attention to the cards your opponents are playing and melding. Try to understand their strategies so you can adjust your own plan.
Stock Pile vs. Discard Pile: Knowing when to take from the stock versus the discard pile requires practice.

Conclusion

Setback combines simple rules with engaging gameplay. Mastering the intricacies of melds and trick-taking will elevate your game and make you a formidable opponent! Practice and develop your strategies to become a Setback champion.