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Balatro does not have built-in multiplayer: Steam lists it as a single-player game. To play with or against other people, use the community-made Balatro Multiplayer mod. Its documented lobby flow is to create a lobby, choose a ruleset or game mode, share the lobby code, and have other players join with that code.
What multiplayer option does Balatro have?
The multiplayer option documented by the project is a community mod, not an official feature of the base game. The Steam listing describes Balatro as single-player, and the official Balatro FAQ is another official reference for the game. The mod project says its mod lets players compete or play with friends; the available documentation does not establish that every mode is cooperative.
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The Balatro Multiplayer project documentation describes the mod as a way to play with friends or against other players. Its lobby instructions provide a practical way to arrange a session, but the sources do not conclusively describe the networking details for every mode. In September 2026, PC Gamer reported that developer LocalThunk said Balatro would not receive official multiplayer; the report attributes the comments to Discord rather than quoting a primary announcement. Read PC Gamer’s report.
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- A copy of Balatro and the Balatro Multiplayer mod.
- Lovely Injector and Steamodded, the mod’s listed dependencies. The project README lists Steamodded 1.0.0~BETA-1620a or later and Lovely Injector 0.9 or later in the version information reflected on that page. Mod requirements can change, so check the project README and current installation guidance before installing.
- Compatible mod installations for each player joining the session.
Install Balatro Multiplayer
The project’s installation page documents a launcher-based setup and also describes manual installation.
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- Open the Balatro Multiplayer installation page and download the launcher for your desktop operating system. The page offers downloads for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
- Run the launcher and follow its prompts. According to the project documentation, the launcher installs Lovely and Steamodded and downloads the selected multiplayer mod version.
- If you prefer not to use the launcher, follow the manual installation instructions on the same page. Use the project’s current guidance for the versions and installation locations.
- Launch Balatro with the mod enabled. If the multiplayer menu does not appear, check that the mod and dependencies are installed as directed and that the game is running with the mod enabled.
The reviewed documentation establishes desktop launcher options, not support for consoles or mobile devices.
Create a lobby and invite a friend
- In the mod-enabled game, select Play, then Create Lobby.
- Choose the ruleset or game mode you want to play.
- Open View Code and send the displayed lobby code to the other player.
- The other player selects Play, then Join Lobby, and enters the code.
- Once the players have joined, the host selects Start.
Does it support local or online multiplayer?
The documented joining method uses a lobby code shared between players. The project’s instructions do not clearly establish the connection type for every mode, so they are not enough to promise that every mode is local, online, or available in both forms. Check the current project documentation for details about the mode you plan to use.
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Ranked and queue play
For ranked or queue play, the project directs players to use its approved-mods list unless staff says otherwise. The Approved Mods documentation lists Balatro Multiplayer, Lovely, and Steamodded as required. This is the mod project’s policy, not an official Balatro or platform requirement.
Quick Recap
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What to check if joining does not work
- The lobby code is rejected: ask the host to reopen View Code and resend the code, then enter it through Play > Join Lobby.
- The multiplayer options are missing: confirm that Balatro launched with the mod enabled and that Lovely and Steamodded are installed according to the current project instructions.
- Players have different mod setups: compare the versions and installation guidance on the project’s README and installation page, and make sure each player is using a compatible setup.
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