If you’re just getting started with Balatro and find yourself stuck on early runs or not sure which jokers are actually doing anything, don’t worry, you’re not alone. The game keeps things simple on the surface, but there’s a lot of clever stuff going on under the hood. This guide breaks down the basics, shares some beginner-friendly strategies, and gives you a few tips to help your next run go a little smoother (or at least last longer than five minutes).
Learn Which Hands Score Well Early
Before we dive deeper, it’s of utmost importance that you get familiar with the flow of the game. In the first few rounds, you’ll have an easier time to reach your desired score, so you’ll have a wiggle room to test things out. Full Houses, Flushes, and Four of a Kinds are easier to hit consistently and scale well when upgraded.
Upgrade Cards You Actually Use
When you get the chance to add Mult, X Mult, or Bonus Chips, upgrade the cards you play most. If you’re playing a lot of Kings, those should get the buffs, not your leftover 2s. So, face cards should be your priority and when upgraded, playing those cards will give you a high score.
Use Discards Properly
You only get a few discards per round, but they’re key for building the hand you want. Don’t burn them chasing a single card, use them to clean up dead draws or fix almost-made combos. For example, if you have one king, there’s no point in discarding all of the cards in order to get Four of a Kind. Chances of that happening are low and your focus should be elsewhere. Don’t be stubborn.
Pick Jokers Properly
It’s important to remember that not all Jokers are equal. Early on, pick jokers that give consistent bonuses. You can always sell the ones that you feel like they don’t fit. Since I can easily achieve the needed score at the beginning, if RNG wills it, I prefer to use Jokers that can help me earn more money at start and then as I progress deeper, switch them for more useful ones. A Jokers that can give more multi’s.
Avoid the flashy but situational ones until you know how to build around them.
Buy Wisely in the Shop
It’s tempting to grab every Joker, Planet Card, or Tarot you see, but money’s tight. Prioritize:
- Jokers that fit your current hand type
- Card upgrades over one-off boosts
- Planet cards that boost your scoring hand type
Wasting cash on stuff that doesn’t help your build will only lead to your downfall.
Don’t Be Afraid to Pivot
If the game keeps handing you Flush opportunities, lean into it even if you want to go Full House. Remember, Balatro rewards adapting your build based on what shows up, not sticking to one plan. So change your approach accordingly, don’t be stubborn.
Conclusion
If you’re just starting out in Balatro, don’t worry about pulling off perfect runs or memorizing every joker combo right away. Focus on the basics, try different builds, and let the weird synergies happen naturally. The game does a good job rewarding small improvements, and even the losses usually teach you something. Hopefully these tips help make your next few runs a bit smoother!
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