Hand strength

What is Set in Poker? Definition & Examples

Here's a clear definition with real-hand context, plus how it connects to the rest of your strategy.

Quick answer

Set — Three of a kind made by holding a pocket pair matching a board card.

In more detail

Sets are massively profitable — disguised, very strong, set up implied odds. Set-mining (calling preflop with small pairs hoping to flop a set) needs 15:1 implied odds.

Common questions

What does Set mean in poker?

Sets are massively profitable — disguised, very strong, set up implied odds. Set-mining (calling preflop with small pairs hoping to flop a set) needs 15:1 implied odds.

Related terms

Bottom Pair

A pair using one of your hole cards and the lowest board card.

Flush

Five cards of the same suit. Beats a straight.

Full House

Three of a kind plus a pair. Beats a flush.

Kicker

The side card that breaks ties between same-rank hands.

New to poker? Start with our preflop strategy guide and the free TAG cheatsheet.