Balatro
Player reviews

Balatro

Build poker-hand and Joker combinations to overcome increasingly demanding blinds.

App Store rating

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iOS / Android
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Balatro

Before you jump in

Compare with Bloons TD 6

US sources · iOS / Android

Who it suits

For solo players who enjoy experimenting with poker hands, Jokers and upgrades.

Things to consider

A paid deck builder with pixel art, built around repeated experiments with numbers and card combinations.

How Balatro plays and where to start

Controls & combat

Card selection with touch-remastered controls: play poker hands from your deck, pick up and discard cards, and choose Jokers/upgrades between rounds - every pick-up, discard and joker can alter the run.

Sources
Exploration & story

Run-based roguelite structure rather than a story world: beat Boss Blinds with poker hands, discover hidden bonus hands and decks, across Campaign and challenge modes.

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Editor’s tip

Your first steps

Read Joker effects, then experiment with poker hands and combinations. Try campaign and challenge modes as they become available.

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Starting out & daily time

Self-contained runs with campaign and challenge modes; run length is unknown.

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Purchases

Paid downloads on US iOS and Android, at different prices. Ads and in-app purchase availability are unknown.

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More gameplay & device details
Automatic battles

Automation not confirmed

Sources

No auto-play or fast-forward systems are described in the captured storefront or official-site text.

    Social play

    Multiplayer options not confirmed

    Sources

    No multiplayer, leaderboard, or sharing features are described in the listed sources.

      Progression & catching up

      No verified returning-player guide

      Sources

      No catch-up or returning-player mechanics are described; as a premium run-based game progress is per-run, but no source states meta-progression details.

        Device & storage

        US iOS 1.3: requires iOS 13.5 or later; download about 98.0 MB. Download size is not total installed storage. Android requirements are unknown.

        Sources
        Sources

        Based on the sources below; not a hands-on review of the current version.

        • Apple iTunes lookup (US) — Balatro

          US iOS App Store, version 1.3, captured 2026-10-14T08:02:51Z. Package download 98.0 MB in decimal units, not installed storage. Other regions and Android requirements are not established by this source.

          Source checked
        • Google Play listing (US) — Balatro

          US Google Play listing (English, gl=US) for the Android package. Captured 2026-10-14 08:02:52 UTC. Static HTML snapshot: store description, badges and structured metadata as served then; the minimum Android OS version is rendered client-side and is not present in this snapshot.

          Source checked
        • Official site (publisher) — Balatro

          Publisher official site page (www.playbalatro.com) captured 2026-10-14 06:15:12 UTC during collection batch B04 and reused here with its original capture time and SHA-256; the page reflects the site at that moment, not necessarily later updates.

          Source checked

        Player reviews

        12
        Mistakes_W.MApp Store · US · iOS
        5/5

        The more you play the more crazy effects you’ll get with your decks, and your Jokers.

        Review context

        A 2025 review about deck effects and Joker combinations; the author also recommends playing with the sound on.

        petit recalApp Store · JP · iOS
        5/5

        I feel this game is about inspiration and discovery, not just luck

        Translated from Japanese

        Show original excerpt

        運だけじゃなく、ひらめきや気付きのあるゲームだと感じます。

        約8か月遊び、仕組みを理解する楽しさを評価。最初はUIや用語が難しいとも述べる。

        Review context

        After about eight months, the author enjoys understanding the mechanics but notes initial UI and terminology hurdles.

        낭만고슴도치App Store · KR · iOS
        5/5

        I still remember the sense of achievement from building my own deck and reaching my goal

        Translated from Korean

        Show original excerpt

        나만의 덱을 구성하고 목표를 도달했을때의 성취감은 아직도 잊혀지지 않습니다.

        포커를 모르고 시작했지만 플레이를 익혔으며 덱 구성의 성취감을 특히 좋아했다.

        Review context

        The author started without poker knowledge and especially enjoyed the accomplishment of deck building.

        More reviews (9)
        Tahls1996App Store · AU · iOS
        4/5

        After ante 11 the scoring gets extremely hard

        Review context

        The author loves the game but wants a relaxed mode without the steep late-run score requirements.

        _NorvApp Store · AU · iOS
        5/5

        There is one suggestion I would like to make, which is a confirmation option when selling jokers.

        Edition unspecified15/02/2025—View app reviews:_Norv · Opens in a new tab
        Review context

        After three months on PC and mobile, the author likes the strategy but has repeatedly sold Jokers accidentally while dragging.

        Guardians of the videogamesApp Store · AU · iOS
        5/5

        The music is one of the best soundtracks I have heard.

        Review context

        The author likes the soundtrack and card art and finds it hard but enjoyable, having won only twice at the time.

        pAtv2.0App Store · AU · iOS
        5/5

        The game itself is very fun after the learning curve

        Edition unspecified03/11/2024—View app reviews:pAtv2.0 · Opens in a new tab
        Review context

        Initially unfamiliar with poker hands, the author learned Joker combinations through tutorial videos.

        joseph croggpittsApp Store · AU · iOS
        5/5

        The animations, sound effects and overall gameplay create a fantastic and fresh experience.

        Review context

        The author likes the feedback and collection progression, despite not yet clearing the Red Deck's first eight antes.

        NausicaeApp Store · DE · iOS
        5/5

        The port turned out great and is worth every euro.

        Translated from German

        Show original excerpt

        Umsetzung ist toll gelungen und jeden Euro wert.

        Nach etwa 40 PC-Stunden lobt der Autor die Handyumsetzung, ohne Cross-Save zu behaupten.

        Review context

        After roughly forty hours on PC, the author praises the mobile port, without claiming cross-save support.

        NewLux08App Store · DE · iOS
        5/5

        An interesting concept with incredible depth and room for your own playstyle.

        Translated from German

        Show original excerpt

        Interessantes Spielkonzept mit unglaublich viel Tiefe und Raum für individuelle Spielweise.

        Der Autor lobt Tiefe und individuelle Spielweisen und hofft auf weitere Joker, Tarotkarten und Decks.

        Review context

        The author praises depth and personal playstyles and hopes for more Jokers, Tarot cards, and decks.

        PonementApp Store · DE · iOS
        5/5

        The tooltips and other features are implemented very well too.

        Translated from German

        Show original excerpt

        Auch die Umsetzung für die Tooltipps und Weiteres ist sehr gut umgesetzt.

        Ein langjähriger PC-Spieler begann unterwegs mit der Handyversion und lobt besonders Details wie Tooltips.

        Review context

        A longtime PC player tried mobile while traveling and particularly praises interface details such as tooltips.

        Cotcho_KApp Store · AU · iOS
        2/5

        it has a glitch that does not save progress correctly unless you have iCloud for the game turned off.

        Review context

        This 2025 review reports iCloud save issues and limited support; it does not establish that the current version still has the bug.

        Excerpts from other platforms. Read the originals for full reviews.

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