Set mining

Basic Definition

Set mining is calling preflop with a small or medium pocket pair mainly to hit a set (three of a kind) on the flop. If you miss, you usually fold. If you hit, you hope to win a big pot.

Specific Situation

• You call a raise with 55. The flop comes K95. You have a set of fives, and your opponent may have a strong king.


• The flop comes AJ8 with no five. You fold to a bet.

Important Information

• A pocket pair flops a set or better about 11.8% of the time, roughly 1 in 8.5 flops. See poker probability for more numbers.


• Because you miss most of the time, set mining depends on implied odds. A common rule of thumb is that the effective stack should be at least about 15 to 20 times the amount you call preflop.


• Set mining works best against players who will pay off with big hands. Against short stacks, the math rarely works.

Examples of Term Usage

"Stacks are deep, so I'm happy to set mine with pocket fours."