Come in spinner
A game as old as Australia itself is a fun way to spend your Anzac Day
On face value alone, Two-up encompasses more of the Australian gambling psyche than even the ubiquitous, iniquitous pokies that plague Sydney’s bars and nightspots. Though historically a game of chance associated with hard times, the national day of war commemoration is an excuse to bet like a mad dog, sink some schooners and get your head around ‘mateship’.
The game
Two-up became an acceptable pastime for soldiers during World War I, even though games of chance and gambling were cracked down on by authorities. By that time, the game had been popular in Australia for more than a hundred years, having first been noticed and recorded around 1798 by the Judge Advocate of the New South Wales colony.
The game is still illegal in all states and territories, but an exemption has been granted for Anzac Day and Armistice Day (11 November).
How it’s played
Players encircle a small pitch or ring and a spinner is chosen. The spinner holds a small wooden paddle called a ‘kip’, which holds two coins. The game and the betting are overseen by a boxer and a ringkeeper or ‘ringy’ oversees the coin tosses. The spinner offers his bet – if the coins land at both heads, the spinner wins. If tails, the spinner loses and if it’s one of each, the spinner throws again. The boxer takes his commission from the spinner’s wins while punters around the ring can place side bets with each other.
In Aussie casinos where Two-up is a fixture, players bet against the house and a spinner must make five heads for a win, three tails for a loss.
Where to play it
Most pubs in Sydney will have a few Two-up games on the go this Anzac Day. Get amongst it, spinners.
City
The Australian Heritage Hotel 100 Cumberland St, The Rocks 2000. (02 9247 2229 www.australianheritagehotel.com). From 12 noon.
Cargo Bar 52–60 The Promenade, King St Wharf, Sydney 2000. (02 9262 1777 www.cargobar.com.au). From 12 noon.
Glenmore Hotel 96 Cumberland St, The Rocks 2000. (02 9247 4794 www.glenmorehotel.com.au). From 10am.
Bar 333 Shop 1, 333 George St, Sydney 2000. (02 9299 8333 www.bar333.com.au). From 9am.
North
Harbord Diggers Evans St, Freshwater 2096. (02 9938 1444 www.harborddiggers.com.au). 12noon–6pm.
The Great Northern Hotel 522 Pacific Hwy, Chatswood 2067. (02 9419 4555 www.greatnorthernhotel.com.au). From 12 noon.
Blue Gum Hotel 55 Pacific Hwy, cnr Unwin Rd, Waitara 2077. (02 9489 3220 www.bluegumhotel.com.au). 12.30pm–5pm.
Greengate Hotel cnr Pacific Hwy and Greengate Rd, Killara 2071. (02 9498 3577 www.greengatehotel.com.au). From 12 noon.
West
The Exchange Hotel cnr Beattie & Mullens St, Balmain 2041. (02 9810 1171 www.exchangehotel.com.au). From 11am.
Blacktown RSL Second Ave, Blacktown 2148 (02 9622 5222 www.blacktownrsl.com.au). 1pm–5pm.
Courthouse Hotel cnr Australia and Lennox Sts, Newtown 2042. (02 9519 8273). 12 noon.
The Australian Youth Hotel 63 Bay St, Glebe (02 9692 0414 www.australianyouthhotel.com.au). From 1pm.
East
Coogee Bay Hotel cnr Coogee Bay Rd & Arden St, Coogee 2034. (02 9665 0000 www.coogeebayhotel.com.au). 12 noon–7pm.
Golden Sheaf Hotel 29 New South Head Rd, Double Bay 2023. (02 9327 5877 www.goldensheaf.com.au). From 12 noon.
Royal Hotel Five Ways 237 Glenmore Rd, Paddington 2021. (02 9331 2604 www.royalhotel.com.au). From 1pm.
Hotel Bondi 178 Campbell Pde, Bondi 2026. (02 9130 3271 www.hotelbondi.com.au).
South
Caringbah Bizzos 22–24 Mackay St, Caringbah 2229. (02 9524 7358 www.bizzos.com.au). 1pm–4pm.
South Hurstville RSL 72 Connells Point Rd, South Hurstville NSW 2221. (02 9546 3436 www.shrsl.com.au). 2pm–5pm.
Gymea Hotel 41 Gymea Bay Rd, Gymea 2227. (029524 0392 www.gymeahotel.com.au). 12 noon–dusk.
Northies cnr Kingsway & Elouera Rd, Cronulla 2230. (02 9523 6866 www.northies.com.au). From 12 noon.