COME IN SPINNER
Any true blue Aussie worth his salt
will know all about the legendary
game, Two Up, played at RSLs and
sometimes down side alleys every
Anzac Day.
During WW1 Australian soldiers played the
game extensively to pass the time, and it
soon became a regular part of Anzac Day
celebrations for returned soldiers although it
was illegal at all other times.
Young ones wanting to join their senior
counterparts in a game of Two Up need to
familiarize themselves with the terminology.
Truth be known, for a relatively simple game,
Two Up has a few rules and basic terms to
learn.
then walk into the centre of the RING and
toss the coins upwards.
If the coins land with 2 Heads facing UP, it
is called ‘HEADS’. 2 Tails is called ‘TAILED
THEM’, and when one of each is showing,
then it is ‘ODDS’. The coins must be tossed
until a result is obtained.
The game is for the ‘SPINNER’ to spin as
many pairs of ‘HEADS’ as possible.
When 2 Tails are showing, the ‘SPINNER’
passes the “KIP” to another person.
The modern game is now often played with
three coins thus giving a quicker result i.e. 2
HEADS or 2 TAILS.
BASIC TERMINOLOGY
KIP : Piece of wood on which the pennies
(coins) are placed for spinning (called
‘paddle’ in some places)
RINGER : Person in charge of the game
SPINNER : Player spinning the coins
COCKATOO : Keeps a lookout for the
‘Law’ aka Police. (not so much these days)
PLAYING TWO UP
The ‘RINGER will call for the ‘SPINNER’
who will place a bet with the ‘BOXER’.
When this is set, side bets may be made, for
either Heads or Tails. The ‘RINGER’ will then
call ‘Come in Spinner’, the ‘SPINNER’ will
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