Tarot Reading In Balatro

Not many video games contain tarot cards, let alone literal in-game booster packs of cards that contain random tarot cards. Because of the rarity of tarot cards in video games there are not many opportunities like this to capture a first impression. This is Balatro, a roguelite poker game packed full of occult symbolism, and tarot cards!

My first impression is very positive. Coming from PathandTarot why wouldn’t I love this game? It has everything I want in a video game based on playing cards. This game scratches the itch I wanted to have scratched. Balatro was advertised as a poker roguelite game. It is all that and much more. It has randomness, poker hands, strategy, combinations, more strategy, and lots of luck.

I appreciate the pixelated graphics, it’s the kind of simple the game needs and deserves. I love the sound design of the game. Everything clicks, drips, clanks, and shuffles well. The music is mesmerizing. It is one continuous track that is a little jazzy, a little funky, has chill vibes, and some lo-fi waves. You can’t get sick of the tune.

This is not the only thing you came here for, it’s the tarot reading, isn’t it? Skip ahead to 17:00 to have me and Balatro deliver an in-game tarot reading.

The game mechanics are intriguing. The jokers are cards that you collect during the store sections of the game. You buy them with earned money from scoring hands during rounds. The jokers act as modifiers to the score of your poker hands. You can have up to five of them at any time. Some jokers push you to play certain poker hands, and you can upgrade your poker hands as progress through the game. They have coincidentally associated the planets with upgrading your poker hands.

I eventually beat the game, and it was satisfying to acquire the right set of jokers to create the right strategy. The game wants you to play it a lot. Over time you will see how varied the joker combinations can be, and the strategies that come with it.

It’s as if magicians made this game. You will find the tarot, playing cards, planets, runes, and more. If you are into the occult in any way you should check this game out. If you are into roguelite games and playing cards, then chances are you already have bought the game.

The cards used for the reading are as follows:

Ace of Hearts, Spades, Clubs

King and Queen of Hearts

2 of Diamonds, 3 of Spades, 5 of Hearts

High Priestess, Hierophant, Strength, Tower, Hermit

To learn the meanings of the cards you can use the resources here: