Unlock the Power of Mobile Balatro with These Expert Tips

Mastering the Art of Balatro: Tips and Tricks for Success

Now that Balatro has finally arrived on mobile, I wanted to dive deeper into what all the fuss is about. And while it’s a fantastic game, its tutorial could use some improvement in setting you up for success. In my first few hours, I was completing objectives, but it felt like I was stumbling my way to success rather than achieving it through strategy. With that in mind, here are some useful tips to get you started.

I was told there would be no math

In Balatro, the main gameplay loop revolves around amassing enough poker chips to beat a set chip total called a blind. To do this, you need to create the ideal poker hand that maximizes the number of chips you can earn. Understanding how scoring works is critical to maximizing your chip-earning potential.

The math equation

Each hand you play is assigned a simple math equation:

Total chips earned = chip value of cards x multiplier score

These equations are different for every type of poker hand, and the more powerful a hand is, the bigger the equation. You don’t have to remember hand hierarchies or their equation values – simply hit the "Run Info" button to pull up a reference list. The important thing to remember is that this math equation changes based on the cards you play and any modifiers you’ve earned.

Shop till you drop

The amazing thing about Balatro is that it’s managed to effectively reproduce the thrill of opening loot boxes without needing to spend a single dime on microtransactions. At the end of every blind, you get to visit the shop where you can buy cards that add to or modify your deck, vouchers that impart powerful perks, or jokers that have all kinds of score-modifying abilities. Go for jokers that increase bonuses every round based on meeting certain criteria so your scoring potential can grow exponentially.

When you fail, don’t be too hard on yourself

Unlike most other roguelikes that let you keep some abilities or items when you die, when you fail a run at Balatro, all your special cards, vouchers, perks, and cash go away. You can’t take cash with you, so spend it wisely.

Install an app blocker (seriously)

Runs in Balatro are short and seamless, making it trivial to get into a groove even after having to start over after a failed attempt. But as an adult with responsibilities, that’s going to be a problem – especially on mobile. Three hours in real time feels like only 20 minutes, making Balatro the closest human beings have gotten to legitimate time travel. Trust me, you’ll want to set guardrails in place so you can get some sleep or work done.