Balatrois one of the most addictive games of the past few years—a central truth that defines its breakout success. Though it’s based on poker, any given run ofBalatrohas the potential to morph into something else entirely, meaning that a basic understanding of the ubiquitous card game’s principles will help, but victory will hinge on a greater, deeper understanding of complex game mechanics.
Balatrois a roguelike deck-builder, with the closest point of comparison being something likeSlay the Spire(something that developer LocalThunk themselves seems to agree with, given theSTSandBalatrocrossover DLC). But whileSlay the Spiretasks players with using their various cards to deal damage against various enemies, building an ever more powerful deck over time,Balatro’s only enemies are the blinds that players have to surpass by earning chips. Different hands of poker can be used to earn different amounts of chips, and various Joker cards, alongside numerous other upgrades, can influence chip amounts and multipliers. That’s the elevator pitch, but there’s so much more to learn inBalatro.
The ABCs of Balatro
Build Around a Specific Hand
This may seem like an obvious one, butfirst-timeBalatroplayersmay be tempted to diversify their approach by gathering upgrades for several different hand types. In theory, this could hedge risk, as a number of different plays could be viable in each encounter, but as blinds grow ever larger throughout the course of a run, this strategy most often results in a loss. Instead, it’s best to pick one single hand to build around, judiciously selecting upgrades and Jokers designed to make it as strong as possible. Some of the easiest hands to build include:
Don’t Be Afraid to Save Money
Players can use themoney they earn to purchase Jokers, Planet Cards, Tarot Cards, and the like from the in-game shop, which appears after every blind. It can be tempting, especially after a big win, to blow all the money in an attempt to dramatically upgrade one’s deck, but this can be ill-advised. For one thing, it can be hard to know exactly what variables will appear down the road, and it is generally a good idea to conserve cash in case of emergencies. For instance, if a future Boss Blind disables one’s primary hand in the late-game, it is a good idea to keep enough cash on-hand to course correct with something like the Director’s Cut voucher.
Additionally,interest accrues for every $5 saved, up to $25, which means that saving money can result in significant rewards down the line. This can come in handy when a shop has several upgrades that synergize with a given hand. Put plainly, if things are going well, it’s best to err on the side of prudence when it comes to spending.
Starting Decks Matter More Than One Might Think
Upon meeting certain requirements,Balatrowill reward players with new decks to play with, each with one or two unique perks. For instance, the Red Deck will grant an additional discard per round, while the Yellow Deck will start players off with $10. These might seem like relatively small variables, but they can have huge ramifications for any given run. For instance, having an extra discard makes it easier to score certain hands, like four of a kind, which requires a lot of discarding. Thus, the choice of deck should be carefully considered in relation to broad-strokes strategy before any run.
There are plenty of other tips that canhelp players gain an edge inBalatro, but the best way to learn is simply by jumping head-first into the game. It doesn’t offer much in the way of hand-holding, so while it’s helpful to have a basic understanding of the rules at the outset, flexibility, adaptation, and a willingness to experiment are all equally important.
Balatro
WHERE TO PLAY
Balatro is a poker-inspired roguelike deck builder all about creating powerful synergies and winning big.The poker roguelike. Balatro is a hypnotically satisfying deckbuilder where you play illegal poker hands, discover game-changing jokers, and trigger adrenaline-pumping, outrageous combos.Combine valid poker hands with unique Joker cards to create varied synergies and builds. Earn enough chips to beat devious blinds, all while uncovering hidden bonus hands and decks as you progress. You’re going to need every edge you’re able to get in order to reach the boss blind, beat the final ante and secure victory
