Balatro: 5 common mistakes to avoid

When you start playing Balatro, it can be exciting to build hands and use Planet Cards. However, many beginners make mistakes that lead to frustration and frequent losses. If you're having trouble winning early matches, you might be making one of these. We have curated a list of the five such mistakes and how to avoid them.

Note: This article is based on the writer's opinion. The entries are in no particular order.

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List of the five common mistakes to avoid in Balatro

Mistake	Cause	Solution
Ignoring resource management	Wasting cards too early	Save key resources for later rounds
Overcommitting to a losing hand	Holding onto weak hands	Retreat to save cards for better chances
Analyzing opponent	Not observing opponent moves	Watch for patterns and adjust your strategy
Playing Planet Cards without strategy	Impulsive plays with Planet Cards	Learn abilities and plan card placement
Relying too heavily on luck	Focusing on lucky draws	Build hands based on probabilities

1) Ignoring resource management

Winning one round isn’t worth risking your whole match (Image via Playstack)

New players often focus on quick wins, wasting important resources like Jokers, multipliers, or bonus cards too soon. This can leave you vulnerable in later rounds of Balatro.

Newcomers may prioritize flashy plays instead of using Jokers for big impacts. Managing your resources well means you’ll have what you need when it’s most important.

How to avoid it:

• Save Your Jokers: Keep them for high-value combos, like Full Houses or Straights, especially in key rounds.
• Use Multipliers Wisely: Play score multipliers in bonus rounds or when your hand is strong.
• Think Long-Term: Treat each game as a longer match. Before playing a resource, ask yourself if you might need it later.

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2) Overcommitting to a losing hand

Retreating strategically helps you recover and can surprise your opponent later (Image via Playstack)

A common mistake is holding onto a bad hand. Many players think they can bring a losing situation back, wasting valuable cards and points. Newbies may feel they must win every round to win the match, causing them to waste resources unnecessarily. Good players know when to fold.

How to avoid it:

• Learn to Retreat: Retreating isn’t giving up; it’s a smart way to save resources for better rounds.
• Evaluate Early: Check your hand by the second or third draw. If it looks weak and your opponent is strong, retreating is often the best choice.
• Save Cards for Later: Use weak hands to force your opponent to spend their resources instead of matching their efforts.

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3) Underestimating opponent

This mistake can lead to missed opportunities to counter their strategies (Image via Playstack)

Another common error is focusing only on your cards and ignoring your opponent’s moves. Beginners often get caught up in building their own hand and forget to notice patterns in how their opponent plays. Success in Balatro Mobile relies not just on your hand but also on understanding your opponent and adjusting your strategy.

How to avoid it:

• Notice if they are aggressively collecting high-value cards or aiming for a specific combo. Adjust your play to counter them.
• If your opponent shows patterns, play cards like Mars to reshuffle their hand or Neptune to protect yourself.
• Pay attention to how your opponent reacts to your moves; this can help you gauge their hand strength.

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4) Playing Planet Cards without strategy

Use Planet Cards deliberately to gain an advantage and dominate rounds (Image via Playstack)

Planet Cards are key in Balatro Mobile, but beginners often waste them by playing at the wrong time or in low-impact situations. Players new to the game might not fully understand what makes each Planet Card strong, treating them as random plays instead of strategic tools.

How to avoid it:

• Learn Each Card’s Ability: Know how cards like Jupiter or Saturn can boost your hand.
• Plan Placement: Don’t play Planet Cards on impulse. Think about how they can maximize your score or disrupt your opponent.
• Combine Effects: Use Planet Cards together for bigger plays.

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5) Relying too heavily on luck

Beginners may think, that if they just get that one card, they'll win instead of making the best of what they have (Image via Playstack)

Many beginners treat Balatro Mobile as a game of chance, hoping for lucky draws instead of creating a solid strategy. While luck is part of the game, successful players stand out because of strategy and planning. The thrill of drawing cards can distract from the need for careful planning.

How to avoid it:

• Focus on Probabilities: Instead of waiting for the perfect card, build hands based on likely draws.
• Adapt Your Strategy: If your ideal hand isn’t forming, switch to a backup plan quickly.

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