Straight Up Poker is a strategy and casual poker simulation for PC that emphasizes customizable rules and flexible play options. The LAN Multiplayer Pack adds local network support to the Steam single-player edition, allowing players to host or join games on the same network without dedicated servers or online accounts.
Gameplay
Core play revolves around standard poker betting structures including limit, no limit, and pot limit across dozens of variants. Players face an adaptive AI that operates with the same information available to humans, avoiding any hidden advantages. The rules editor lets users modify hand rankings, introduce custom decks with extra cards or jokers, adjust pot behaviors like rollovers, and create entirely new game types. Replays of completed hands can be saved for review, and in-progress sessions load or save at any point. Table visuals support color changes and card back options, while built-in tools display probabilities and hand rankings during play.
With the LAN Multiplayer Pack installed on version 1.5 or later, participants connect directly over a local area network. One player hosts while others join, and the system handles custom rule sets by transferring necessary details automatically. Mobile clients on Android can participate as guests in hosted sessions, and AI opponents fill empty seats when needed. Secure connections and non-invasive anti-cheat measures protect sessions, and each participant requires a licensed copy of the software.
Game Modes
Built-in variants exceed 130 and cover hold'em, Omaha, stud, draw, and mixed formats such as H.O.R.S.E. or dealer's choice sequences. Tournaments support single or multiple tables with configurable blind and ante schedules, while cash games allow ongoing play with adjustable stakes. Custom creations extend these options further, including short-deck formats, split-pot hi/lo games, and unconventional hand types known as kilters. The LAN pack enables all of these in local multiplayer, with clients able to join without prior knowledge of any custom rules in use.
Multiplayer Features
LAN sessions support cross-edition play, connecting the Steam version to the pro edition downloaded from the developer site and to mobile clients. Hosts manage game setup including player counts and table sizes, while replays of multiplayer hands remain available for later analysis. No internet connection or external accounts are required, making the pack suitable for private gatherings on a shared network. Version compatibility starts at 1.5, and older editions lack support for these connections.
Is It Worth Playing?
This title suits players who value rule customization and local multiplayer poker without online infrastructure. The single-player edition already provides extensive offline options against AI, and the LAN pack extends that foundation to human opponents on the same network. Those seeking standard online poker or large-scale matchmaking will find the focus narrower, but the combination of deep customization, reliable AI, and straightforward LAN setup delivers targeted appeal for home or small-group use. Current updates maintain the core systems, with the multiplayer add-on integrated since version 1.5.
