balatrocalc

How Balatro scoring works (Chips × Mult)

Balatro’s final score for a hand is always Score = Chips × Mult. The tricky part is that lots of effects modify current Chips/Mult in a specific order—especially Jokers—so swapping Joker order can change your result.

Core terms

• Chips: your “base points”. Usually added up (+Chips).
• Mult: your “multiplier”. Often added up (+Mult).
• XMult: a multiplier applied to Mult (×Mult). This is why order matters.

Typical scoring order (mental model)

1. Pick the hand type (Pair / Flush / Straight…) and its level → gives base Chips & base Mult.
2. Score the played cards (enhancements/editions can add Chips or Mult/XMult).
3. Trigger Jokers (usually left → right), each reading/modifying the current values.
4. Compute final Chips × Mult.

Why Joker order changes your score

If you have both “+Mult” and “XMult” effects, putting XMult later often yields a higher Mult.

Example: start at Chips=100, Mult=10. Joker A gives +10 Mult, Joker B gives X2 Mult.

• A → B: Mult 10 → 20 → 40 ⇒ Score = 100 × 40 = 4000
• B → A: Mult 10 → 20 → 30 ⇒ Score = 100 × 30 = 3000

Balatro guide: Jokers, Chips, Hands (terms)

A practical way to improve is to separate your build into: (1) a main hand type, (2) reliable Chips sources, (3) reliable Mult/XMult sources, and (4) a plan for consistency (deck shaping / economy / utility).

Joker categories (quick build thinking)

• Chips / Mult / XMult payoffs: direct scoring power.
• Scaling: grows over time; earlier is better.
• Trigger / Copy: repeats or copies another Joker; depends on your best target.
• Economy: money/discounts to reach key pieces faster.
• Utility: consistency tools (draw, discards, deck shaping).

Chip sources (common)

• Base hand values (and planet upgrades)
• Scored cards (ranks/suits) + enhancements/editions
• Jokers that add Chips or convert conditions into Chips

Hand types (common)

High Card, Pair, Two Pair, Three of a Kind, Straight, Flush, Full House, Four of a Kind, Straight Flush… (late-game builds can reach Five of a Kind / Flush Five / etc.)

Beginner checklist

1. Pick one “main hand” direction early (Flush / Straight / High Card scaling…).
2. Balance Chips and Mult: stacking only one often caps your score.
3. When you get XMult/copy Jokers, think about order (left → right).