Ok, I was kind of surprised that this hadn't been asked here before, but maybe it's too technical for this site. You guys decide.
I've heard lots of different stories about setting up Wine on Ubuntu, WineTricks, PlayOnLinux etc., but never a 'This is the best way to do it for Steam and Steam games' thread.
So has anyone had any real success getting their Steam games to run on Ubuntu through Wine or something similar? If so, could we get some specific steps?
Best Answer
There is no best way to do it, as such. Both Steam and Wine are ever-changing, and today's best method might break tomorrow*.
People have reported that Steam works with just standard Wine.
Install Wine
from the Software Center (or click the shopping bag icon).
Right click the installer executable, go to Properties → Permissions and check Allow executing file as program, then right click it again and select Open with Wine Windows program loader.
If it turns out that doesn't work for you, you can try using PlayOnLinux.
Marco has detailed the instructions on how to get it working behind the link.
If it still doesn't work, you can give Crossover Games a go. Though it is number three on this list on purpose.
In general, it seems that Steam will work okay. You should try to run it using out-of-the-box Wine first. If you run into any trouble, feel free to ask a question under the wine tag at Ask Ubuntu.
Also see this site for Steam games that work with Wine (and, by extension, PlayOnLinux).
* Note: If you get it to work, updates to Wine will most probably never break it. But it may well be the Steam people are fighting off Wine compatibility. It may also be they are actively trying to make their program run well under Wine (games publishers have been known to do that).