Overview
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Name (EN) | Hanging Chad |
| Name (JP) | ハンギングチャド |
| Rarity | Common |
| Cost | $4 |
| Effect | The first scored card triggers 2 additional times (3 total activations) |
| Unlock | Available from the start (no unlock required) |
| Trigger Type | On score (first scored card) |
| Overall Tier | A+ |
Rating & Analysis
Hanging Chad retriggers the first scored card 2 additional times (3 total). At Common $4 — the cheapest tier — first-card effects (Bonus / Mult / Glass / Steel / Gold enhancements, Seals, on-score Joker effects) all fire 3×. One of Balatro's strongest retrigger effects per dollar.
The optimal play is to stack the first scored card with all enhancements. Polychrome × Glass K (x2 × x2 Mult) + Red Seal (self-retrigger) up front, paired with Hanging Chad, fires 6 times. Add Sock and Buskin for a face card → 9 fires on the first face.
Photograph + Hanging Chad is exceptionally strong — Photograph's x2 Mult triggers 3× = x8 Mult, Sock and Buskin pushes it to x16 Mult. Tier lists rate Hanging Chad A+ as a retrigger-axis core. The $4 cost is a steal; buy on sight.
Good Joker Synergies
| Joker | Why |
|---|---|
| Photograph | First face x2 Mult triggers 3× = effective x8 Mult. |
| Sock and Buskin | Face retrigger — Hanging Chad + Sock = 6 fires. |
| Red Seal | Self-retrigger — Hanging Chad + Red Seal = 4 fires. |
| Enhanced cards (Polychrome / Steel etc.) | Enhancement effects fire 3× = explosive. |
| Hiker | +5 Chips permanent on scored cards — first card gets +15 Chips. |
| Blueprint / Brainstorm | Copy retrigger effect for chained scaling. |
Recommended Builds
| Build | Core Loop | Target Consumables |
|---|---|---|
| First-card burst | Polychrome K + Red Seal + Hanging Chad + Sock | Enhancement Tarots |
| Photograph + Hanging Chad | First face x2 fires 3× = x8 Mult | Enhancement Tarots |
| Hiker + Hanging Chad | First card gains +15 Chips permanent | Enhancement Tarots |
| Blueprint stacking | Hanging Chad + Blueprint for retrigger chain | Black Hole / The Soul |
Tips & Usage
- Buy on sight — $4 for retriggers is unbeatable.
- Mind card play order — place strong enhanced cards first.
- Photograph / Sock and Buskin pairings yield exponential xMult growth.
- Red Seal on the first card amplifies Hanging Chad's effect.
- Hiker pairing gives the first card +15 Chips permanent boost.
Caveats
- Only the first scored card triggers — subsequent cards aren't retriggered.
- Card order is critical — weak first cards waste the retrigger.
- Perishable Hanging Chad is risky — retrigger stops on expiry.
- Unenhanced first card minimizes Hanging Chad's value.
- Mime (held-card retrigger) is a different system — Hanging Chad targets scored cards only.