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"Mastering Tarot Card Use in Balatro: A Guide"

Author : Alexander

May 16,2025

It didn’t take long for Balatro to carve out a niche in the gaming world, captivating players with its addictive gameplay. Yet, one feature often flies under the radar: the use of Tarot cards. Let's dive into how to effectively use Tarot cards in Balatro.

Getting Tarot Cards in Balatro

Balatro Arcana Packs in Shop Screenshot by The Escapist

To start using Tarot cards, you first need to acquire them. The most straightforward way to get Tarot cards is by purchasing Arcana Packs from the in-game Shop. You can also opt to buy individual Tarot cards when they're available in the Shop. Another method to obtain Tarot cards is by discarding a card that has a Purple Seal.

Using Tarot Cards

Remember, Tarot cards are consumable items. You can use them immediately after acquiring them by selecting them from their slot in the top right corner of the screen. Upon selecting a Tarot card, a set of cards that it can affect will appear, allowing you to choose the number of cards specified by the Tarot card. Once you've made your selection, confirm it, and the Tarot card's effect will be applied to the chosen cards.

All Tarot Cards

There are 22 Tarot cards in Balatro, each with unique effects that can alter your gameplay. Here's a detailed look at each card:

Card	Effect
The Fool	Creates the last Tarot or Planet card used during your current run.
The Magician	Two cards are enhanced to Lucky Cards.
The High Priestess	Creates up to two Planet cards if you have the space for them.
The Empress	Two cards are enhanced to Mult Cards.
The Emperor	Creates up to two random Tarot cards if you have the space for them.
The Hierophant	Two cards are enhanced to Bonus Cards.
The Lovers	One card is enhanced to a Wild Card.
The Chariot	One card is enhanced to a Steel Card.
Justice	One card is enhanced to a Glass Card.
The Hermit	Doubles Money (up to $20)
The Wheel of Fortune	1 in 4 chance to add Foil, Holographic, or Polychrome to a random Joker.
Strength	Pick up to two cards to increase their rank by one.
The Hanged Man	Pick up to two cards to destroy.
Death	Pick two cards and convert the left card into the right card.
Temperance	Receive the total sell value of all current Jokers up to $50.
The Devil	One card is enhanced to a Gold Card.
The Tower	One card is enhanced to a Stone Card.
The Star	Pick up to three cards to convert to Diamonds.
The Moon	Pick up to three cards to convert to Clubs.
The Sun	Pick up to three cards to convert to Hearts.
Judgement	If you have room, it creates a random Joker.
The World	Pick up to three cards to convert to Spades.

Tarot cards are a key element that sets Balatro apart from traditional poker games. While some players might overlook their potential, especially the cards that change the suits of cards in your deck, mastering their use can significantly enhance your gameplay. These cards may not always be beneficial depending on your current run, but once you understand their mechanics, Tarot cards can become a powerful tool in your Balatro strategy.