How to Prioritize Consumables in Balatro
In Balatro, Tarot, Planet, and Spectral cards are one-use consumables. You mostly get them in shops between Blinds, either as direct shop cards or from booster packs. A Blind is one scoring round, and an Ante is a three-round set (Small Blind, Big Blind, then Boss Blind). If you are new, treat consumables as build tools, not random bonuses: clean up your draws first, scale one main scoring hand second, then take calculated risks.
Early game (Antes 1-3): focus on Tarots that improve consistency by thinning weak cards, upgrading key cards, or reinforcing the rank/suit pattern your Jokers reward. Take Planets for the poker hand you are actually playing most, and avoid spreading levels across too many hand types. Be picky with Spectrals early unless the upside fixes an immediate weakness, because many Spectral effects trade power for real downside.
Hold, Use, or Skip Rules
Hold: keep a consumable when the next Blind or Boss Blind might punish your current line and you need a flexible answer. Use now: play Tarots before your deck gets too large, and use Planets once you commit to a main hand (Pair, Two Pair, Flush, etc.) so future rounds benefit from higher hand levels. Skip: pass on off-plan Planets and high-risk Spectrals that do not help your scoring hand this Ante.
Mid/Late game (Antes 4+): your best value is usually Planets for your primary hand plus selective Tarots that tighten draws around your Joker engine. Buy Spectral cards when you can clearly absorb the downside or you are in a win-now spot. If a consumable does not improve your next two Blinds in Balatro, save the money for rerolls or stronger shop pickups.