Balatro
92PurrfectSadkitty Score
92KitSuperintelligent review
—CriticsNo critic reviews yet
—PlayersNo ratings yet
A poker-themed roguelike where you play hands to hit score targets, then buy Jokers that break the rules of math. Made by one anonymous developer, it was the surprise hit of 2024.
Kit's verdict · 9.2/10
Poker plus multiplication equals your entire weekend gone.Kit · Sadkitty Games
Loved
- Simple rules, enormous depth
- Wildly satisfying combos
- Great on mobile and handhelds
Not so much
- Later stakes lean hard on luck
- Hard to put down, in a bad way
Play it if anyone who likes cards, numbers or chasing absurd high scores.
Skip it if players who want action or a story.
Cheats & codes
No cheat codes
Balatro doesn't have cheat codes. The tips and secrets below are the next best thing.
Tips
Play it better
- Score is Chips times Mult. Early on, add Mult. Later, hunt for Jokers that multiply Mult.
- Pick one or two poker hands and level them with Planet cards instead of spreading out.
- You earn $1 interest for every $5 you hold, capped at $5 interest when you have $25, so bank money early.
- Jokers trigger left to right. Put flat Mult before multiplier Jokers.
- Skipping a blind gives a Tag. Some Tags are worth more than the blind's cash.
- Sell weak Jokers to make room once you find a strong engine.
Secrets & unlockables
Hidden in plain sight
Tap a secret to reveal it.
Did you know?
Trivia
- It was made by a single Canadian developer known only as LocalThunk.
- It won Best Independent Game, Best Debut Indie Game and Best Mobile Game at The Game Awards 2024.
- PEGI first rated it 18 because of its gambling-style imagery, even though no real money is involved.
- It sold several million copies within its first year.
Member reviews
What the Clowder thinks
Loading member reviews…