Balatro, developed by LocalThunk and published by Playstack, is a roguelike deck-building game centered around poker mechanics. The game has received widespread acclaim for its innovative gameplay loop, addictive progression system, and creative synergies.
Community Ratings & Reception
- Steam Rating: Overwhelmingly Positive (95%+ approval).
- Metacritic: 85–90 (varies by platform).
- Reddit Feedback: Praised for its “one more run” loop, emergent strategy, and fast-paced turns.
Players frequently compare it to games like Slay the Spire, but with a poker twist. It’s also been described as the “most addictive deckbuilder” in years due to its quick gameplay sessions and deep strategic layers.
High Score Guide for Balatro
Key Strategies for High Scores
- Maximize Multiplier (x) over Base Score:
- Focus on Jokers and planet cards that increase the multiplier.
- Example: “Glass Joker” and “Astronomer” are powerful early multipliers.
- Optimize Hands per Round:
- Use discard efficiently to draw perfect hands.
- Aim for high-scoring hands like flushes, full houses, and four-of-a-kind with multipliers.
- Synergy Combos:
- Pair Jokers with suits, tags (like spectral, celestial), and synergy-based Jokers.
- Use planet cards strategically to improve hand types.
Best Joker Cards
- The Astronomer – Scales multiplicatively with planet cards.
- Perishable Joker – Strong short-term multiplier; good if refreshed quickly.
- Mime – Doubles effect of the previous Joker; great with synergy.
- Madness Joker – High risk, high reward.
- Hologram – Copies the best Joker; massive potential.
Honorable Mentions:
- Hack (steals other jokers’ power)
- Egg (requires patience but can pay off late game)
Best Tarot Cards
- The Magician – Upgrades your Joker cards.
- The Fool – Gives free Joker card.
- The Wheel of Fortune – Can grant a free Planet card.
- The High Priestess – Strong discard effects.
Best Planet Cards
- Earth (Full House upgrade) – High scoring potential.
- Jupiter (Flush upgrade) – Works well in synergy with suit-focused decks.
- Mercury (Pair upgrade) – Versatile and can be boosted by synergy.
Tip: Use Planet cards early to scale hand value, but also consider duplicate use for higher level bonuses.
Optimal Shop Strategy
When to Spend Money
- Early Game: Prioritize good Jokers over Tarot or Spectral cards. Avoid rerolling too often.
- Mid Game: Look for synergy. Buy Tarot cards to upgrade Jokers, especially if you have The Magician.
- Late Game: Save money to reroll for ideal Jokers or Tarot cards. Consider Edition purchases (Holographic, Foil, Polychrome) for powerful scaling.
What to Avoid
- Don’t buy cards that don’t work with your current strategy.
- Don’t overcommit to rerolls unless you have economy-based jokers like Loan Shark or The Banker.
Economy Tip
- Consider Coupon items early—they reduce costs long-term.
- Use Vault to hold strong cards for later when they become more effective.
Balatro is a masterclass in addictive, strategic game design. Its core appeal lies in poker’s familiarity fused with roguelike depth and infinite replayability. The community has embraced it as a genre standout, and for good reason.
If you’re looking for a deep, rewarding, and endlessly engaging card game, Balatro sets a new standard. The Dave the Diver version is a fun nod but lacks the depth that defines the full experience.
