Balatro Stakes: All 8, in Order

All 8 stakes in the game's fixed order, with the rule each adds and how to adjust.

Updated October 2026

Quick answer

Stakes are Balatro's 8 difficulty levels, and each level keeps all the rules below it. Start on White Stake, then win a run to unlock the next stake for that same deck only. Gold Stake is the hardest: it adds Rental Jokers that cost $1 up front and $3 per round on top of all earlier rules.

Stake ladder

Each Stake keeps every rule below it and adds one more. Gold is hardest; White is the starting point.

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

This is the game's fixed order of 8 stakes, shown hardest first, so no player ranking is needed. Win a run through the Ante 8 Boss Blind on your highest unlocked stake to unlock the next stake for that same deck only. Each deck has its own stake progress.

Fewer discards. Which hand already wins?

Tell BalatroBuddy your stake, hand, and Jokers. It checks whether you need another draw.

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Blue Stake, Big Blind (450 chips), first hand, 2 discards left. Unmodified 52-card deck and plain Jokers. Hand: K♠ K♥ 9♦ 8♣ 7♠ 6♥ 3♦ 2♣. Pair is level 1. Should I discard the Kings to chase a Straight?

BalatroBuddy: Play K♠ K♥ now: the Pair scores 708 chips with Joker and Blue Joker, enough to beat the 450-chip Big Blind. The 44 cards still in your deck give +88 Chips, so (10 + 20 + 88) Chips times (2 + 4) Mult already wins. On Blue Stake, you have one fewer discard per round; there is no need to gamble on a Straight here.

All 8 stakes

Grouped by the pressure they add, lowest stake first within each group. Each effect is the new rule only.

Learning stakes

Base rules, income, and the first scoring increase

White Stake

Base difficulty with no additional stake modifiers.

Plan for: No extra stake penalties. Learn your deck and build enough scoring to beat Ante 8.

Red Stake

The Small Blind pays $0 in blind reward money instead of $3.

Plan for: Losing the $3 Small Blind reward. Weigh the shop visit and other round income before skipping.

Green Stake

Required scores scale faster with each Ante.

Plan for: Higher score targets as antes rise. Add hand levels or scoring Jokers before your current score falls short.

Economy and Joker pressure

Permanent slots, expiring effects, and rental bills

Black Stake

Eligible Jokers in shops and packs have a 30% chance to be Eternal, so they cannot be sold or destroyed.

Plan for: Permanent Joker slots. Buy an Eternal only if its help now is worth keeping that slot occupied.

Orange Stake

Eligible Jokers in shops and packs have a 30% chance to be Perishable, becoming debuffed after 5 rounds.

Plan for: A 5-round limit on Perishable effects. Use them to survive now and arrange replacements before they expire.

Gold Stake

Jokers in shops and packs have a 30% chance to be Rental, costing $1 to buy and $3 at the end of each round.

Plan for: A $3 bill per Rental each round. Buy one when its scoring or income justifies that drain.

Scaling and discards

Fewer redraws and steeper score targets

Blue Stake

Reduces discards by 1 per round.

Plan for: One fewer discard every round. Favor hands you can make without fishing.

Purple Stake

Required scores scale faster with each Ante again, beyond Green Stake scaling.

Plan for: Another increase in score targets. Check the next blind and invest in hand levels, Chips, and Mult before you fall behind.

Which purchase gets you through the next blind?

Tell BalatroBuddy your stake, money, and Jokers. Get a plan for the next shop or hand.

Stake questions

What is the hardest stake in Balatro?

Gold Stake is the eighth and hardest stake. It adds Rental Jokers and keeps every earlier rule, including fewer discards, steeper score requirements, and Eternal and Perishable Jokers.

How do you unlock stakes in Balatro?

Win a run by beating the Ante 8 Boss Blind on the highest stake you have unlocked for that deck. This unlocks the next stake for that same deck, starting with White and ending with Gold. Seeded runs and challenges do not unlock stakes.

Does stake progress carry across decks?

No, each deck has its own stake unlocks. Winning White Stake with Red Deck unlocks Red Stake for Red Deck only; Blue Deck still needs its own White Stake win.

What does Gold Stake add?

Gold Stake adds Rental Jokers, with a 30% chance for Jokers in shops and packs to have the sticker. They cost $1 to buy and charge $3 at the end of each round, before the payout. Rental can combine with Eternal or Perishable, and a debuffed Rental still charges rent.

Do you get any money from Small Blinds on Red Stake?

The $3 blind reward is removed on Red Stake and above. Money from unused hands, interest, and your cards still applies under its usual rules, and beating the blind still gives you a shop visit.

  • Decks: Starting rules and bonuses for your next stake climb.
  • Boss Blinds: Check which boss rules threaten your scoring plan.
  • Ante Scores: Every blind target from Ante 1 to 8 at each stake.