The Tooth
Effect: Lose $1 per card played.
The Tooth in Balatro: Lose $1 per card played. Counter strategies and which jokers beat it.
Eligible antes: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Threat level: Medium
Strategy
Play small hands. Bring economy buffer so the per-card cost doesn't bankrupt you.
Strategy Tip
Play efficient hand types (Pair, Three of a Kind) to minimize cost. Stone cards and unscored cards still count as played cards and cost $1.
How to counter The Tooth
Danger Tier: C
Group: Money (Protect your cash while meeting the score target)
Counter: Play only the cards you need to win; extra cards also cost money.