Game Basics

What is Balatro?

Balatro is a roguelike deckbuilding game that puts a unique spin on poker. Instead of playing against other players, you're challenging the game itself through a series of increasingly difficult rounds.

Core Mechanics

Hand Playing

Each round, you'll be dealt cards to form poker hands. Unlike traditional poker, you can create multiple hands from your cards before submitting your final play.

Scoring System

Each poker hand has a base score that can be multiplied by various modifiers from Jokers, Planets, and other special cards in your collection.

Resource Management

Managing your chips, choosing which cards to discard, and deciding when to use consumable items are key strategic elements of the game.

Poker Hands

Basic Hands

• Pair - Two cards of the same rank
• Two Pair - Two different pairs
• Three of a Kind - Three cards of the same rank
• Straight - Five sequential cards
• Flush - Five cards of the same suit

Advanced Hands

• Full House - Three of a kind plus a pair
• Four of a Kind - Four cards of the same rank
• Straight Flush - Sequential cards of the same suit
• Royal Flush - A-K-Q-J-10 of the same suit
• Five of a Kind - Five cards of the same rank

Tips for Beginners

• Start with basic poker hands and gradually learn advanced strategies
• Pay attention to Joker synergies when building your deck
• Don't be afraid to discard cards that don't fit your strategy
• Save your chips for crucial upgrades and shop items
• Experiment with different combinations to find what works best