TWO-UP - The ANZAC Tradition

Two-up is a traditional Australian Gambling game, involving a designated 'Spinner' throwing two or three coins into the air.

Players gamble on whether the coins will fall with both (obverse) heads up, both (reverse) tails up, or with one coin a head, and one a tail (known as 'Odds').

 It is traditionally played on Anzac Day in pubs and clubs throughout Australia, in part to mark a shared experience with Diggers through the ages.

The game is traditionally played with pennies -- their weight, size, and surface design make them ideal for the game. Weight and size make them stable on the 'kip' and easy to spin in the air.

The History

The exact origins of Two-up are obscure, but it seems to have evolved from pitch and toss a gambling game involving tossing a single coin into the air and wagering on the result. Two-up was popular amongst poorer English and Irish citizens in the 18th century.

The predilection of the convicts for this game was noted as early as 1798 by New South Wales’ first Judge Advocate, as well as the lack of skill involved and the large losses. By the 1850s, the two-coin form was being played on the goldfields of the eastern colonies and it was spread across the country following subsequent goldrushes.

Two-up was played extensively by Australia's soldiers during World War 1. Gambling games, to which a blind eye was cast, became a regular part of Anzac day celebrations for returned soldiers, although two-up was illegal at all other times.

As time passed, increasingly elaborate illegal "two-up schools" grew around Australia, to the consternation of authorities but with the backing of corrupt police. The legendary Thommo's Two-up School, which operated at various locations in Surry Hills, Sydney from the early years of the 20th century until at least 1979, was one of Australia's first major illegal gambling operations.

The popularity of two-up declined after the 1950s as more sophisticated forms of gambling like Baccarat gained popularity in illegal gaming houses and poker machines were legalised in clubs.

Legal Two-up arrived with its introduction as a "table" game at the new casino in Hobart in 1973, but is now only offered in Perth's Burswood Casino.

Two-up has also been legalised on Anzac Day, when it is played in RSL clubs and hotels. Several tourist "Two-up schools" in the Outback have also been legalised. Under the NSW Gambling (Two-Up) Act 1998, playing two-up in NSW is not unlawful on Anzac Day.

Terminology
Term	Meaning
Spinner	The person who throws the coins up in the air. Each person in the group takes turns at being the spinner.
Boxer	Person who manages the game and the betting, and doesn't participate in betting.
Ringkeeper (Ringy)	Person who looks after the coins after each toss (to avoid loss or interference).
Kip	A small piece of wood on which the coins are placed before being tossed. One coin is placed heads up, the other tails up.
Heads	Both coins land with the "head" side facing up. (Probability 25%)
Tails	Both coins land with the "tails" side facing up. (Probability 25%)
Odding Out	To spin five "One Head - One Tail" in a row.
Odds or "One Them"	One coin lands with the "head" side up, and the other lands with the "tails" side up. (Probability 50%)
Come in Spinner	The call given by the boxer when all bets are placed and the coins are now ready to be tossed.
Cockatoo	Only used in the 1800s to late 1930s, due to legalisation of Two-Up on ANZAC Day. It was the nickname of the look-out who warned players of incoming police raids.

How to Play

A person is selected as the Spinner (generally greeted to loud calls of "Come in Spinner!" by the rest of the players). The Spinner will be tossing the coins in the air using the kip until they win or lose.

The basic format of the game:

• Two heads means the Spinner wins.
• Two tails means the Spinner loses.
• Odds "One Them" means the Spinner throws again.

The Spinner is required to place a bet before their first throw that must be covered (equalled) by another player.

If the Spinner wins they keep the bet and cover, otherwise it goes to the player who covered the bet. The Boxer takes a commission out of this bet.

The other members of the group place side bets (bets against each other) on whether the Spinner will win or lose and the result of the next throw.

On Anzac Day 25th April, The Commonwealth Hotel will be recreating the Anzac spirit by putting on the biggest two-up game in town.

This is your chance to say “Come In Spinner!”

FOOD
Our Chefs will be serving up our tasty menu in Bistro 75 and our Main Bar from 1pm to 7pm.

ENTERTAINMENT
As well as hosting the only Two-Up game in Roma, there will be Travis preforming from 2pm to 6pm. Both the NRL & AFL Anzac Day clashes will be playing on all screens.