Home News "Mastering Tarot Cards in Balatro: A Guide"

"Mastering Tarot Cards in Balatro: A Guide"

Author: Aaron May 05,2025

It didn’t take long for Balatro to make a place for itself in the gaming world, leaving many of us addicted to its gameplay. However, one aspect of gameplay often feels overlooked. So, here's a comprehensive guide on how to 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 common method is through Arcana Packs, which you can purchase in the Shop. Additionally, you often have the option to buy individual Tarot cards directly from the Shop. Another way to obtain Tarot cards is by discarding a card that has a Purple Seal.

Using Tarot Cards

Tarot cards are consumable items, meaning you can use them immediately upon acquisition. To use a Tarot card, select it from its slot in the top right corner of the screen. Upon selection, a set of cards that the Tarot card can affect will appear. Choose the number of cards specified by the Tarot card, confirm your selection, and the effects of the Tarot card will be applied to the chosen cards.

All Tarot Cards

There are 22 Tarot cards in Balatro, each with unique effects that can significantly impact your gameplay. Here's a detailed list of all Tarot cards and their effects:

Card	Effect
The Fool	Creates the last Tarot or Planet card used during your current run.
The Magician	Enhances two cards to Lucky Cards.
The High Priestess	Creates up to two Planet cards if you have the space for them.
The Empress	Enhances two cards to Mult Cards.
The Emperor	Creates up to two random Tarot cards if you have the space for them.
The Hierophant	Enhances two cards to Bonus Cards.
The Lovers	Enhances one card to a Wild Card.
The Chariot	Enhances one card to a Steel Card.
Justice	Enhances one card 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	Increases the rank of up to two cards by one.
The Hanged Man	Allows you to destroy up to two cards.
Death	Converts the left card into the right card when two cards are selected.
Temperance	Grants the total sell value of all current Jokers up to $50.
The Devil	Enhances one card to a Gold Card.
The Tower	Enhances one card to a Stone Card.
The Star	Converts up to three cards to Diamonds.
The Moon	Converts up to three cards to Clubs.
The Sun	Converts up to three cards to Hearts.
Judgement	Creates a random Joker if you have room.
The World	Converts up to three cards to Spades.

Tarot cards are a unique feature 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 useful depending on your current run, but once you understand their mechanics, Tarot cards can become a powerful tool in your Balatro strategy.