Balatro, the poker-inspired roguelike deckbuilder, offers one of the most engaging and challenging trophy hunts in indie gaming. Whether you’re aiming for the Platinum Trophy on PlayStation or 100% achievements on Steam/Xbox, this guide will walk you through every unlock, strategy, and efficient progression route.
Total Achievements Overview
| Platform | Total Trophies | Platinum | Estimated Time | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PlayStation | 32 | Yes | 120–250 hours | 9/10 |
| Xbox | 31 | No | 120–250 hours | 9/10 |
| Steam | 31 | No | 120–250 hours | 9/10 |
Trophy Categories: 5 Core Phases
Phase 1: Basic Progression
These trophies are unlocked naturally through early runs:
- Ante Up! – Reach Ante 4
- Ante Upper! – Reach Ante 8
- Heads Up – Win a run by clearing the Boss Blind in Ante 8
Tip: Try to unlock “You Get What You Get” (no shop rerolls) during your first successful run.
Phase 2: Difficulty-Based Trophies (Stake Levels)
Balatro features 8 cumulative Stake difficulties, each adding modifiers:
| Difficulty | Modifier Description |
|---|---|
| Red Stake | No reward from Small Blinds |
| Green Stake | Increased blind score requirements |
| Black Stake | Eternal Jokers appear (can’t be removed) |
| Blue Stake | One less discard allowed per round |
| Purple Stake | Further score scaling per Ante |
| Orange Stake | Booster Pack costs rise with each Ante |
| Gold Stake | All effects above + hand size reduced by 1 |
Trophies in this phase:
- Low Stakes – Win on Red Stake
- Mid Stakes – Win on Black Stake
- High Stakes – Win on Gold Stake
Use Flush builds with Photograph, Obelisk, or Supernova Jokers for reliable scaling.
Phase 3: Challenge Runs
To unlock challenges, win runs with 5 different decks. Each of the 20 has unique mechanics and restrictions:
- Rule Bender – Complete any Challenge Run
- Rule Breaker – Complete all 20 Challenge Runs
Watch for brutal modifiers in challenges like Fragile, Cruelty, and Jokerless.
Challenge Mode Table (All 20 Challenges)
| List | Challenge Name | Starting Cards / Jokers / Vouchers | Core Rules and Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Omelette | Egg (x5) | No rewards, no interest, bans money-based Jokers |
| 2 | 15 Minute City | Ride the Bus, Shortcut | No 2s/3s/Aces; Jokers Eternal |
| 3 | Rich Get Richer | Seed Money, Money Tree | Chips can’t exceed current $, start with $100 |
| 4 | On a Knife’s Edge | Ceremonial Dagger | Dagger is indestructible |
| 5 | X-Ray Vision | None | 25% of cards drawn face down |
| 6 | Mad World | Pareidolia, Business Card | No face/Aces/10s; Jokers are negative |
| 7 | Luxury Tax | None | Hand size reduces by $5 owned |
| 8 | Non-Perishable | None | All Jokers are Eternal; bans synergy Jokers |
| 9 | Medusa | Marble Joker | All Face Cards are Stone |
| 10 | Double or Nothing | None | All cards have Red Seal; debuff on use |
| 11 | Typecast | None | Jokers go Eternal after Ante 4 |
| 12 | Inflation | Credit Card | Prices rise with purchases |
| 13 | Bram Poker | Vampire, Empress/Emperor Tarot | No Joker shop appearances |
| 14 | Fragile | Oops All 6s (x2) | Deck = All Glass Cards |
| 15 | Monolith | Obelisk, Marble Joker | Both Jokers are Eternal; Marble is negative |
| 16 | Blast Off | Rocket, Constellation | Only 2 hands & 2 discards per round |
| 17 | Five-Card Draw | Card Sharp, Joker | 6 discards, 5-card hands; bans Juggler |
| 18 | Golden Needle | Credit Card | $1 per discard, $10 start |
| 19 | Cruelty | None | No blind rewards; 3 Joker slots only |
| 20 | Jokerless | None | No Jokers, Tags, Tarot, Spectral or Boosters |
Pro Tips: Stick to Straight/Flush builds. Skip early Blinds when rewards are removed.
Phase 4: Collection-Based Goals
| Trophy | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Legendary | Discover a Legendary Joker |
| Astronomy | Unlock all 12 Planet Cards |
| Cartomancy | Use all 22 Tarot Cards |
| Clairvoyance | Use all 18 Spectral Cards |
| Extreme Couponer | Purchase all 32 Vouchers |
| Completionist | Unlock 100% of Collection |
Some planets like Ceres, Eris, and Planet X require Flush Five / Flush House / Five of a Kind.
Phase 5: Miscellaneous Gameplay Trophies
| Trophy | How to Unlock |
|---|---|
| Nest Egg | Hold $400+ in a single run |
| Flushed | Play a Flush with 5 Wild Cards (use Lovers Tarot, etc.) |
| Speedrunner | Win in 12 rounds or less (skip Small/Big Blinds, use Throwback Joker) |
| ROI | Buy 5 Vouchers before Ante 5 (skip Voucher-tagged Blinds) |
| Shattered | Break 2 Glass Cards in a single hand |
| Royale | Play a Royal Flush (10, J, Q, K, A same suit) |
| Retrograde | Level any poker hand to 10 using Planet Cards |
| 10K / 1,000K / 100M | Reach each score milestone (build chip multipliers + synergies) |
| Tiny Hands | Reduce your deck to 20 cards or less (Hanged Man Tarot, destroy cards) |
| Big Hands | Grow your deck to 80 cards or more (buy Boosters, use Joker like DNA) |
| You Get What You Get | Win a run without rerolling the shop |
Endgame Achievements
Completionist+
- Win with all 15 decks on Gold Stake difficulty
- Each requires beating 8 Stake levels consecutively
Completionist++
- Earn a Gold Sticker with every Joker (150+)
- Must win using each on Gold Stake difficulty
Brutal time sink: expect 200+ hours depending on RNG and deck strength
Pro Strategy Tips
- Use Flush/Straight builds for consistent hands
- Best Decks: Plasma, Checkered, Ghost, Yellow
- Top Jokers: Obelisk, Hanging Chad, Supernova, Photograph, Card Sharp
- Avoid Perishable/Rental Jokers in Gold Stake
- Farm Gold Sticker Jokers by building synergy decks early, then replacing weak Jokers late in the run
- DNA + Blueprint can duplicate strong Jokers
Final Thoughts: Is Platinum Worth It?
Yes, if you’re a fan of poker mechanics, roguelike tension, and brutal trophy hunts. With patience and strategy, Balatro’s completion is a badge of true card-playing mastery.
Difficulty Rating: 9/10
Estimated Time to 100%: 120–250 hours
Good luck, and may the Jokers be in your favor!
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