Balatro

Balatro is a poker-inspired roguelike deck builder where the goal is to earn enough chips to overcome blinds, reach the boss blind and beat the final ante. Players build around valid poker hands and Joker cards, seeking combinations that can carry a run to victory.

Alongside its campaign, Balatro offers challenge, daily and seeded runs. Its card pool includes 22 Tarot variants, 11 Planet cards and 32 Vouchers; the presentation pairs a synthwave soundtrack with pixel art and CRT-style visuals.

Gameplay and features

• Build card synergies: Combine poker hands with Jokers and use tools such as Tarot, Planet, Spectral and Voucher cards. These cards can enhance playing cards, level up poker hands or provide buffs for the current run.
• Choose decks and Jokers: Select from 15 Decks with distinct modifiers and 150 Jokers with unique abilities. Jokers can also appear in five potential variants that add further abilities.
• Track hands and collection: Runs can reveal hidden bonus hands and decks, while the collection grows as new cards and secrets are discovered. A stats screen records details including best hands and most-used Jokers.

Frequently asked questions

What is the objective in Balatro?

Earn enough chips to beat the blinds, reach the boss blind and defeat the final ante. Poker hands and Jokers form the basis of the combinations used to build toward that goal.

How do Jokers and other cards affect a run?

Jokers have unique abilities, and Tarot, Planet, Spectral and Voucher cards provide additional tools. Tarot cards can enhance regular playing cards, Planet cards can level up poker hands, and Vouchers can provide buffs for the current run.

What kinds of runs can players choose?

Balatro includes a campaign with eight difficulties, as well as challenge, daily and seeded runs.

What can players review between or during runs?

The stats screen lets players examine records such as their best hands and most-used Jokers. Runs can also add cards and secrets to the collection.