Balatro borrows poker-hand scoring, but its central structure is a run built around changing combinations and Jokers. The familiar hand names are a starting vocabulary for a different strategic problem.
What the distinction means
The official FAQ describes scoring targets, blinds and Jokers with different effects. That makes the interest less about reading an opposing poker player and more about assembling a way to score effectively under changing conditions.
What to consider before playing
If you want a traditional poker table experience, the shared terminology may be misleading. If you enjoy understanding how a familiar rule can be bent by an unusual combination, the premise is more relevant. Evaluate it as a scoring-focused run-based game rather than choosing solely because you already know what a flush or full house is.
The useful takeaway
Balatro borrows poker-hand scoring, but its central structure is a run built around changing combinations and Jokers. If you want a traditional poker table experience, the shared terminology may be misleading.