Set - Billiard Term Definition

Welcome to the billiard, pool, and snooker glossary of terms. This is the definition of Set as it relates to cue sports. You can also view the entire billiard dictionary

Definition of Set

Set is a billiards term that is a part of Game Rule Terminology.

In the simplest terms, a set is a group of billiard games. In gambling, casual, or tournament play, a set of billiard games is either a race to a predetermined number of billiard games won, or in non-tournament play, a more open-ended race until one player reaches an agreed-upon number of games ahead of the other player. In a gambling situation, the losing player is expected to pay up at the end of each set unless it was agreed to play an immediate double or nothing rematch, in which case the losing billiard player is generally expected to post-up the additional bet. The score in sets could also be recorded on the wire or by moving coins under the cushions.

See: race, match for more on the meaning of "Set".

Set - Usage

How many games have we played in the set?

Billiards - Set

Title: Set
Author: billiardsforum (Billiards Forum)
Published: 3/15/2006
Last Updated: 10/24/2007 9:49:56 AM
Last Updated By: billiardsforum

Set Comments

R. Zapparelli from Santa Rosa, CA on 3/16/2023 10:49:08 AM
This term, "set", can also be used in the context of the "set" position.

I believe the "set" position is actually of a brief "pause" (if the player uses a pause in their pre-shot routine) before accelerating through the cue ball.

Submit New Billiard Term or Suggest a Correction

You can suggest a new billiard term and it's definition here. If you are suggesting a correction for an existing term, enter the entire definition as with your corrections incorporated.