Balatro builds live or die by joker synergies. Random good jokers don’t win. Specific combos that scale exponentially do. This guide covers 5 repeatable builds that carry from white stake to endless.
Master basics from our Balatro beginner’s guide and jokers from our Jokers tier list 2026 first.
S tier build: blueprint glass infinite x4
Core combo: Blueprint + Glass joker
How it works:
Blueprint copies glass x2 score (20% break risk). Result x4 score per glass hand. Retrigger with brainstorm four fingers.
Deck: Red deck (enhancements)
Key jokers: Blueprint glass brainstorm negative
Vouchers: Telescope (planet rerolls) overgoated (mult scaling)
Early game:
Grab glass first. Blueprint second. Tarot duplicate glass. Spectral for extra blueprint.
Mid game:
Four fingers + brainstorm = multiple x4 glasses per blind. Negative mult every hand.
Boss blinds:
Glass breaks less vs non flush bans. Planet reroll shop finds solutions.
Win condition: x4 score snowballs to billions by ante 8.
S tier build: satellite planet infinite mult
Core combo: Satellite + planet cards
How it works:
Satellite x1.5 mult per planet. Blueprint satellite = infinite mult. Planets reroll shop endlessly.
Deck: Nebula deck (telescope voucher)
Key jokers: Satellite blueprint baron (money mult)
Vouchers: Blank voucher (planet economy) telescope
Early game:
Planet cards reroll shop. Grab satellite. Baron holds money.
Mid game:
Blueprint satellite. Spam planets. Mult hits x50+.
Boss blinds:
Money from baron buys solutions. Telescope ensures planet packs.
Win condition: Shop control + infinite mult scaling.
A tier build: hack brainstorm retrigger engine
Core combo: Hack + Brainstorm + four fingers
How it works:
Hack +1 hand slot. Brainstorm retriggers all hands. Four fingers retriggers slot 4. Negative mult every retrigger.
Deck: Checkered deck (suited control)
Key jokers: Hack brainstorm four fingers negative
Vouchers: Blank (early retriggers) overgoated
Early game:
Hack first. Brainstorm second. Tarot hand size.
Mid game:
Four fingers completes engine. Negative mult explodes.
Boss blinds:
Extra hands dodge bans. Retriggers beat score walls.
Win condition: 5+ hands every blind.
A tier build: perkeo discard planet loop
Core combo: Perkeo +1 discard + planet rerolls
How it works:
Perkeo discard finds perfect hands. Planets reroll shop. Baron money mult. Blueprint perkeo for double discards.
Deck: Blue deck (tarot start)
Key jokers: Perkeo baron planet blueprint
Vouchers: Telescope overgoated
Early game:
Perkeo discard perfect shop picks. Planet rerolls.
Mid game:
Baron mult + perkeo consistency = unbeatable economy.
Boss blinds:
Discard solves hand bans instantly.
Win condition: Perfect shop control every round.
Beginner build: lucky cat negative mult stack
Core combo: Lucky cat + negative + wildcard
How it works:
Lucky cat mult per lucky trigger. Negative mult per hand. Wildcard solves suit issues. Simple reliable scaling.
Deck: Red deck
Key jokers: Lucky cat negative wildcard
Vouchers: Blank early mult
Early game:
Negative first. Lucky cat second. Wildcard third.
Mid game:
Lucky triggers stack passively. Negative mult every hand.
Boss blinds:
Wildcard dodges most bans. Reliable chips mult.
Win condition: Passive mult snowball.
Universal build tips
Deck management:
- Never exceed 52 cards early
- Tarot duplicate only core jokers
- Spectral for planets/legendaries
Shop rules:
- Round 1: Tarot/skip
- Round 2: First joker
- Round 3: Jokers planets
Boss blind prep:
Always check banned hands before round 3 shop.
Build matchups vs bosses
Blueprint glass: Strong vs flush bans, weak vs mult bans Satellite planet: Shop control beats everything Hack brainstorm: Extra hands dodge bans Perkeo discard: Solves any hand restriction Lucky cat negative: Consistent never bricked
