Balatro is an engaging card game where playing cards are at the heart of the gameplay, serving as the primary method for players to earn scores.
The game utilizes a standard 52-card deck, consisting of 13 ranks and 4 suits:
- clubs (♣)
- diamonds (♦)
- hearts (♥)
- spades (♠)
However, depending on the deck chosen at the beginning of a game, some cards may vary or be absent from the standard set.
Playing cards in Balatro can be enhanced, giving them unique effects that alter their scoring. Each card can have a maximum of one enhancement. Similar to Jokers, these cards can also come in different editions, which can further affect scoring. Additionally, playing cards can be imprinted with seals, providing extra utility to the given card.
The game begins with a default hand size of 8 cards. To score, players must form poker hands of up to 5 cards at a time from their hand. More playing cards can be added to the deck in various ways, primarily by purchasing standard packs from the shop.
Enhancements: Elevating Card Effects
Enhancements are special effects that can be applied to cards to alter their scoring potential. Here are the different types of enhancements:
- Bonus: This enhancement adds 30 extra chips to the card’s value.
- Glass: This enhancement doubles the card’s multiplier but comes with a 1 in 4 chance of destroying the card.
- Gold: If this card is in the player’s hand at the end of the round, they earn $3.
- Lucky: This enhancement provides a 1 in 5 chance for a +20 multiplier and a 1 in 15 chance to win $20.
- Mult: This enhancement adds 4 to the card’s multiplier.
- Steel: This enhancement increases the card’s multiplier by 1.5 as long as it remains in the player’s hand.
- Stone: This enhancement adds 50 chips to the card’s value and removes its rank and suit. The stone card secretly retains a rank and suit, but they cannot be determined or used in scoring until the stone enhancement is cleared or replaced.
- Wild: This enhancement allows the card to be used as any suit.
| Appearance | Name | Effect |
 | Bonus | You’ll receive an additional 30 chips as a bonus. |
 | Glass | This card has a multiplier of x2 and a 25% chance of being destroyed. |
 | Gold | Gain $3 if this card remains in hand by the end of the round. |
 | Lucky | There is a 1 in 5 chance of a 20x multiplier and a 1 in 15 chance of winning $20. |
 | Mult | Gain a 4x multiplier. |
 | Steel | You receive a 1.5x multiplier as long as this card remains in your hand. |
 | Stone | You gain 50 chips. This card does not have a specific rank or suit. Stone cards operate differently from regular playing cards, as they do have a rank and suit but this information is hidden until the Stone enhancement is cleared or replaced. |
 | Wild | This card can be used as any suit you choose. |
Seals: Enhancing Utility and Functionality
Seals are another layer of modification that can be added to playing cards, each with unique effects that improve the utility of the given card. They can be obtained through the use of spectral cards or by finding sealed cards in standard packs. Here are the different types of seals:
- Gold Seal: Earn $3 when this card is played and scores.
- Red Seal: Retrigger this card once.
- Blue Seal: Creates a planet card if this card is held in hand at the end of the round.
- Purple Seal: Creates a tarot card when discarded.
| Appearance | Name | Effect |
|---|---|---|
 | Gold Seal | When this card is played and scores, you will receive a $3 reward. |
 | Red Seal | You have the option to reactivate this card one additional time. |
 | Blue Seal | If you hold onto this card until the end of the round, it will create a Planet card. |
 | Purple Seal | Discarding this card results in the creation of a Tarot card. |
Card Editions: Adding a Touch of Rarity and Uniqueness
| Name | Added Effect | Chance | Cost (Affected by base Joker cost) |
| Normal | None | 96% | Base |
| Foil | +50 Chips | 2% | +2$ |
| Holographic | +10 Mult | 1.4% | +3$ |
| Polychrome | X1.5 Mult | 0.3% | +5$ |
| Negative | +1 Joker slot | 0.3% | +5$ |
Card editions are special versions of cards that come with added effects. Here are the different types of card editions and their effects:
- Normal: No added effect. Has a 96% chance of appearing and costs the base price.
- Foil: Adds 50 chips to the card’s value. Has a 2% chance of appearing and costs $2 more than the base price.
- Holographic: Adds 10 to the card’s multiplier. Has a 1.4% chance of appearing and costs $3 more than the base price.
- Polychrome: Multiplies the card’s value by 1.5. Has a 0.3% chance of appearing and costs $5 more than the base price.
- Negative: Adds one joker slot. Has a 0.3% chance of appearing and costs $5 more than the base price.
In conclusion, Balatro cards offer a unique and engaging gameplay experience with their various enhancements, seals, and editions.
Understanding these features can significantly enhance your strategy and enjoyment of the game.
