Balatro Tarot Cards: Complete Guide to All 22 Cards and Strategies
Balatro tarot cards are powerful consumables that can modify your deck, enhance cards, and provide strategic advantages. This guide covers all 22 cards, their effects, and how to use them effectively to dominate your runs.
Table of Contents
Introduction
If you have been playing Balatro, you already know that success depends on more than just luck. The game blends poker mechanics with roguelike deck-building, and one of the most important tools in your arsenal is the Balatro tarot cards. These consumable items allow you to modify your deck in powerful ways, from changing card suits and ranks to adding enhancements that boost your score. Understanding how to use these cards can mean the difference between an early loss and a run that reaches the highest antes.
In this guide, we will walk through everything you need to know about Balatro tarot cards. You will learn what they are, how to get them, and how to use them strategically. Whether you are a beginner trying to survive the first few blinds or an experienced player aiming for Completionist++, this guide will help you make the most of every tarot card you encounter.
What Are Tarot Cards in Balatro?
Tarot cards in Balatro are a type of consumable item that you can obtain during a run. Unlike Jokers, which provide ongoing passive effects, tarot cards are used once and then discarded. They occupy one of your two consumable slots, so you can carry up to two at a time. Their primary function is to modify the cards in your deck, such as changing their suit, increasing their rank, or adding special enhancements like Lucky, Steel, or Glass.
You can acquire Balatro tarot cards through several methods. The most common way is by purchasing Arcana Packs from the shop between rounds. These booster packs contain three, five, or even more tarot cards, and you can choose one to add to your consumable slot. You can also buy individual tarot cards directly from the shop if they appear. Certain Jokers, like Cartomancer, create a tarot card at the start of each blind. The Vagabond Joker generates a tarot card whenever you play a hand while holding $4 or less. Additionally, Purple Seals on your playing cards will create a tarot card when that card is discarded.
There are 22 different tarot cards in total, each based on a Major Arcana card from traditional tarot decks. They are numbered from 0 (The Fool) to 21 (The World). Discovering all 22 unlocks the Cartomancer Joker and the Cartomancy achievement, which is a key milestone for any serious player.
Complete List of All 22 Tarot Cards
Below is the full list of every Balatro tarot card, including its name, number, and effect. Use this as a reference when deciding which cards to pick from Arcana Packs or the shop.
- The Fool (0) – Creates the last Tarot or Planet card used during this run (excluding The Fool itself). Great for duplicating powerful cards like The Hermit or Temperance.
- The Magician (I) – Enhances 2 selected cards to Lucky Cards. Lucky Cards have a chance to give +20 Mult or $20 when scored.
- The High Priestess (II) – Creates up to 2 random Planet cards (must have room). Useful for leveling up poker hands.
- The Empress (III) – Enhances 2 selected cards to Mult Cards. Mult Cards give +4 Mult when scored.
- The Emperor (IV) – Creates up to 2 random Tarot cards (must have room). Can generate additional tarot cards for more flexibility.
- The Hierophant (V) – Enhances 2 selected cards to Bonus Cards. Bonus Cards give +30 Chips when scored.
- The Lovers (VI) – Enhances 1 selected card into a Wild Card. Wild Cards count as all suits, helpful for flush strategies.
- The Chariot (VII) – Enhances 1 selected card into a Steel Card. Steel Cards give X1.5 Mult when held in hand.
- Justice (VIII) – Enhances 1 selected card into a Glass Card. Glass Cards give X2 Mult but have a 1 in 4 chance to break.
- The Hermit (IX) – Doubles your money (max $20). Excellent for early-game economy.
- The Wheel of Fortune (X) – 1 in 4 chance to add Foil, Holographic, or Polychrome edition to a random Joker. Risky but rewarding.
- Strength (XI) – Increases rank of up to 2 selected cards by 1 (e.g., 3 to 4, Queen to King, Ace to 2). Useful for building straights.
- The Hanged Man (XII) – Destroys up to 2 selected cards. Perfect for thinning your deck.
- Death (XIII) – Select 2 cards, convert the left card into the right card (drag to rearrange). Ideal for duplicating high-value cards.
- Temperance (XIV) – Gives the total sell value of all current Jokers (max $50). A great money card when you have expensive Jokers.
- The Devil (XV) – Enhances 1 selected card into a Gold Card. Gold Cards give $3 at the end of each round if held in hand.
- The Tower (XVI) – Enhances 1 selected card into a Stone Card. Stone Cards give +50 Chips and do not count as a suit or rank.
- The Star (XVII) – Converts up to 3 selected cards to Diamonds. Helps with flush strategies.
- The Moon (XVIII) – Converts up to 3 selected cards to Clubs.
- The Sun (XIX) – Converts up to 3 selected cards to Hearts.
- Judgement (XX) – Creates a random Joker card (must have room). Can give you a powerful Joker for free.
- The World (XXI) – Converts up to 3 selected cards to Spades.
How to Use Tarot Cards Effectively
Knowing each card's effect is only half the battle. The real skill lies in using Balatro tarot cards at the right time to maximize your run. Here are some practical tips for getting the most out of your tarot cards.
First, use The Hanged Man to thin your deck. In Balatro, a smaller deck means you are more likely to draw the cards you need. If you are building a high-card or pair strategy, removing low-value cards like 2s and 3s can dramatically improve your consistency. The Hanged Man is especially valuable early in a run when your deck is still large.
Strength is one of the most versatile tarot cards. By increasing card ranks, you can create straights or build toward powerful hands like four-of-a-kind. For example, if you have three 7s, using Strength on a 6 and an 8 can help you complete a straight. You can also use it to turn a King into an Ace, which is useful for Ace-based strategies.
Death is arguably the most powerful tarot card for deck manipulation. By converting one card into another, you can duplicate high-value cards like Glass Cards, Steel Cards, or even Gold Cards. To use Death effectively, first drag the card you want to copy to the right slot, then select the card you want to replace in the left slot. This allows you to build a deck full of powerful enhanced cards.
The Hermit and Temperance are your go-to cards for building economy. Use The Hermit early in the run when your money is low to double it (up to $20). Temperance is best used when you have several Jokers with high sell values, as it gives you the total sell value of all your Jokers (up to $50). Save Temperance for when you have at least a few Jokers to maximize its benefit.
Best Tarot Cards for Different Strategies
Different runs call for different approaches. Here is how to prioritize Balatro tarot cards based on your strategy.
Money-Making Strategy
If your goal is to build a strong economy, focus on The Hermit and Temperance. The Hermit doubles your money early, giving you a solid foundation. Temperance becomes more valuable as you acquire Jokers, especially if you have expensive ones like the Golden Joker or Rocket. Additionally, The Devil can be useful for creating Gold Cards, which generate passive income each round. Use these cards to ensure you have enough cash to reroll the shop and buy powerful Jokers and Planet cards.
Deck Manipulation Strategy
For players who want to control their draws, The Hanged Man and Death are essential. The Hanged Man removes unwanted cards, while Death duplicates your best ones. Strength is also valuable for adjusting card ranks to complete straights or build toward specific hands. If you are going for a flush strategy, use The Star, The Moon, The Sun, or The World to convert cards to the same suit. These cards are especially powerful when combined with Jokers that benefit from specific suits, like the Arrowhead or the Bloodstone.
Enhancement Strategy
Enhancing cards can dramatically boost your scoring potential. The Magician creates Lucky Cards, which can give you extra Mult or money. The Chariot creates Steel Cards, which provide a X1.5 Mult multiplier when held in hand. Justice creates Glass Cards, which give X2 Mult but carry a risk of breaking. For a safer approach, The Empress (Mult Cards) and The Hierophant (Bonus Cards) provide consistent boosts to Mult and Chips, respectively. Use these enhancements to build a deck that synergizes with your Jokers.
Synergies with Jokers and Other Mechanics
Balatro tarot cards do not exist in a vacuum. They interact with Jokers, vouchers, and other mechanics in powerful ways. Understanding these synergies can elevate your gameplay.
The Fortune Teller Joker gains +1 Mult for every tarot card used during the run. This makes it one of the best scaling Jokers if you are using tarot cards frequently. Pair it with the Vagabond Joker, which generates a tarot card whenever you play a hand with $4 or less, and you can quickly build up Fortune Teller's Mult to double digits.
The Cartomancer Joker, unlocked by discovering all 22 tarot cards, creates a tarot card at the start of each blind. This provides a steady supply of tarot cards, allowing you to use them more liberally. If you have the Blueprint or Brainstorm Jokers, you can copy Cartomancer to get two tarot cards per blind.
Vouchers also play a role. The Tarot Merchant voucher makes tarot cards appear twice as often in the shop, while the upgraded Tarot Tycoon makes them appear four times as often. If you are relying on tarot cards for your strategy, these vouchers are worth prioritizing.
Finally, the Purple Seal on a playing card creates a tarot card when that card is discarded. This is a fantastic way to generate tarot cards without spending money. If you have a Purple Seal card, try to discard it every round to get a free tarot card.
Unlocking the Cartomancer Joker and Achievements
To fully master Balatro tarot cards, you will want to unlock the Cartomancer Joker and the associated Cartomancy achievement. The requirement is simple: discover all 22 tarot cards in an unseeded run. Once you have used or purchased each card at least once, the Cartomancer Joker becomes available in future runs.
Here are some tips for efficient collection. First, prioritize buying Arcana Packs whenever they appear in the shop. These packs give you access to multiple tarot cards at once, speeding up the discovery process. Second, use Jokers like Vagabond and Cartomancer (once unlocked) to generate tarot cards without spending money. Third, look for the Purple Seal on playing cards, as it creates a tarot card when discarded. Finally, do not be afraid to use tarot cards even if they seem suboptimal for your current run. The goal is to discover them all, so use every card you find.
Once you unlock Cartomancer, it becomes a valuable tool for future runs. It provides a steady stream of tarot cards, which can help you refine your deck and scale Jokers like Fortune Teller. The Cartomancy achievement is also a badge of honor that shows you have explored one of the game's core mechanics thoroughly.
Further Exploration
Balatro tarot cards are a cornerstone of effective deck building in the game. From the early game economy boost of The Hermit to the late-game deck manipulation of Death, each card offers unique opportunities to shape your run. By understanding their effects, using them strategically, and leveraging synergies with Jokers and vouchers, you can turn even the most challenging runs into victories.
Experiment with different combinations and strategies. Try building a deck full of Glass Cards with Justice, then duplicate them with Death. Or focus on money-making with The Hermit and Temperance to afford the best Jokers. The more you practice, the more intuitive these decisions will become. Keep exploring, and you will soon find yourself reaching new heights in Balatro.
For entertainment purposes only. The content on this page is based on interpretive traditions and should not be considered professional advice. Outcomes are not guaranteed. Always consult a qualified professional for medical, legal, or financial matters.