Since Balatro’s launch in 2024, the game has seen very little change, and the community has been eagerly awaiting the long-promised 1.1 update. The game’s solo developer, LocalThunk — who worked with support from YouTuber Balatro University — kept a lengthy silence before reappearing on Discord to explain the delay.
"Sorry for 2025, I really shouldn’t have named approximate release dates at all. I understand how unpleasant that must be, and I wish I could go back in time and reason with myself. After releasing the mobile version, I burned out so badly that for a while I couldn’t even touch the game. Fortunately, everything has changed."
He added that he prefers not to publish an incomplete update that could harm the game’s experience, and that he’s currently enjoying working on the project again.
A Reddit post by user trevorade, summarizing leaked details, lists the planned changes for patch 1.1:
- Second-level voucher “Lunker.”
- Modified voucher selection algorithm: the chance to get a second-level voucher will depend on how many first-level vouchers have been collected.
- New mechanic “When the card is drawn into the hand”: triggers in rounds as well as in Tarot decks and Spectral decks. Example joker: “Ace up the sleeve” — +1 multiplier when an ace is drawn into the hand.
- At least 4 new jokers (previously reported as two).
- Reworked blue pegs — the developer prefers the new version.
- Profile flag allowing activation of new content (vouchers and jokers). Achievements will remain accessible.
- Steam 1.0 branch after 1.1 release — to support old mods.
- No Balatro 1.2: after version 1.1.0, only 1.1.1 with fixes and balance patches will be released, and that’s it.
- Multiplayer is not planned.
- Temporary images are used in development (for example, the joker-emoticon “Poll,” which “does the same with picture cards”).
LocalThunk expects the press may react negatively to the new “When the card is drawn into the hand” mechanic, but believes it can significantly alter winning potential for experienced players.
No precise release date for update 1.1 has been announced. The developer said he will drop into Discord from time to time with progress updates and possible new leaks. Community reaction so far suggests players understand the delay and continue to wait.