You’re staring at the shop screen. You’ve got fifteen bucks. On the left, there’s a Joker that could actually save your run. On the right, there’s a white slip of paper that costs ten dollars and literally says "Does nothing?" in the description.
If you’re new to Balatro, you probably think it’s a joke. A prank by the developer, LocalThunk, to see how much money he can bait out of unsuspecting players. Honestly? It feels like a scam. You buy it, the money vanishes, and your stats don't move. No extra hands. No extra discards. No mult. Just a $10 hole in your pocket and a lingering sense of regret.
But here is the thing: the Balatro Blank Voucher is arguably the most important long-term investment in the entire game. It’s the ultimate "trust the process" moment in a roguelike that usually rewards immediate gratification.
What is the Blank Voucher actually for?
The short answer is that the Blank Voucher is a gatekeeper.
In Balatro, Vouchers come in pairs. There’s a "Base" version and an "Upgraded" version. To even see an upgraded voucher in your shop, you usually have to fulfill a specific achievement first. For the Blank Voucher, that "achievement" is just pure, stubborn persistence.
The Antimatter Unlock
The Balatro Blank Voucher exists solely to unlock its evolution: the Antimatter Voucher.
Antimatter is widely considered the single most powerful voucher in the game. Why? Because it gives you an extra Joker slot. In a game where your power is capped by how many Jokers you can carry, going from five slots to six is a massive, game-changing jump. It allows for synergies that are mathematically impossible otherwise.
But there’s a catch. A big one.
To unlock Antimatter, you have to buy the "useless" Blank Voucher 10 times across all your runs. It doesn't have to be the same run (that would be impossible anyway). You just need to redeem it 10 times total in your career. Once you hit that tenth purchase, the game notifies you that Antimatter has been discovered.
The Strategy of the Sink
Once you've unlocked Antimatter, does the Blank Voucher finally start doing something?
Nope. It still does nothing.
Even after the unlock, the Blank Voucher remains a $10 tax. The way the voucher system works in Balatro is that an upgraded version (Tier 2) can only appear in a shop if you have already purchased the base version (Tier 1) during that specific run.
So, if you want that sweet, sweet +1 Joker slot from Antimatter, you have to find a Blank Voucher, cough up the $10 for zero immediate benefit, and then pray to the RNG gods that Antimatter shows up in a later shop.
It’s a gamble. It’s expensive. And if you’re playing on higher stakes like Orange or Gold Stake where money is tighter than a drum, spending $10 on "nothing" can literally end your run.
When should you actually buy it?
Look, don't be a hero. If you are struggling to beat the next Big Blind and you need that $10 to buy a Temperance card or a Planet pack to stay alive, skip the Blank Voucher.
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However, if your economy is "online"—meaning you’re sitting on $25+ and generating good interest—you should almost always buy it.
- Early Game (Ante 1-3): Best time to buy. It gives the shop more time to roll the Antimatter upgrade.
- Late Game (Ante 7-8): Usually a waste of money unless you are going for an Endless Mode run. The odds of seeing the upgrade in the remaining couple of shops are slim.
- Endless Runs: Mandatory. You cannot hit the "e" notation scores without every Joker slot you can get your hands on.
The "Infinite Money" Exploit (The Fast Track)
If you’re impatient and don't want to spend 10 separate runs throwing away money, there is a cheeky workaround. This has been a known tactic since the game's launch in early 2024.
When you see a Blank Voucher in the shop and you have the cash:
- Buy the Blank Voucher.
- Do not leave the shop.
- Escape to the main menu immediately.
- Continue your run.
Because Balatro saves at the start of the shop encounter and upon leaving the shop, but tracks voucher "redeems" instantly for your collection progress, you can sometimes cheese the counter. Though, honestly, just playing the game normally is more rewarding. You're going to play 10 runs anyway. This game is digital crack.
Why people get frustrated with Antimatter
There is a common misconception that once you unlock Antimatter, it replaces the Blank Voucher. It doesn't.
You will still see the Blank Voucher in almost every run. You will still have to buy it. And because the voucher pool is huge (there are 32 vouchers in total), the odds of seeing Antimatter even after buying the Blank are roughly 1 in 16 per Ante.
Some players go twenty runs without seeing it once. That's just the nature of the beast. But when it does show up? That sixth Joker slot is usually the difference between a "pretty good" run and a "break the game" run.
Actionable Insights for your next run
To make the most of this weird mechanic, keep these rules of thumb in mind:
- Check your Collection: Go to the main menu -> Collection -> Vouchers. If the slot next to Blank is still a silhouette, you haven't bought it 10 times yet. Get to work.
- Prioritize Economy: You can't afford to buy "nothing" if you aren't making interest. Focus on getting your bankroll to $25 before you start hunting for secret unlocks.
- Anaglyph Deck Synergy: If you're hunting for Antimatter, the Anaglyph Deck is your best friend. Use your Double Tags on a "Voucher Tag" (the one that adds a voucher to the next shop). This forces more vouchers into the pool, drastically increasing your chances of finding both the Blank and its upgrade in the same run.
- Don't Buy it Twice: In some rare cases with the "Voucher Tag," you might see a second Blank Voucher after already buying one. It still does nothing. Don't waste the money.
The Balatro Blank Voucher is a test of faith. It represents the quirky, punishing, and ultimately rewarding design that made the game a hit. Stop ignoring it. Buy the nothingness. Your future six-joker build will thank you.
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Next Steps
Start a run with the Yellow Deck to get that $10 head start. If a Blank Voucher appears in the first shop, buy it immediately. Even if it hurts. You’re not buying a voucher; you’re buying the possibility of greatness later.