Topzle Topzle

Two-up

Updated: Wikipedia source

Two-up

Two-up is a traditional Australian gambling game, involving a designated "spinner" throwing two coins, usually Australian pennies, into the air. Players bet on whether the coins will both fall with heads (obverse) up, both with tails (reverse) up, or one of each (known as "odds"). The game is traditionally played in pubs and clubs throughout Australia on Anzac Day, in part to mark a shared experience with diggers (soldiers). The game is traditionally played with pennies, because 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. Decimal coins are generally considered to be too small and light and do not fly as well. The design of pre-1939 pennies had the sovereign's head on the obverse (front) and the reverse was totally covered in writing, making the result very easy and quick to see. However, pennies used in the game are usually now marked with a white cross on the tails side. Pennies being used at games on Anzac Day are brought out specifically for that purpose each year.

Tables

Terminology[3] · History
School
School
Term
School
Meaning
The collective noun for a group of gamblers playing two-up.
Ring
Ring
Term
Ring
Meaning
The area designated for the spinner to spin the coins. The spinner must stand in the ring to spin, and the coins must land and come to rest within the ring.
Spinner
Spinner
Term
Spinner
Meaning
The person who throws the coins up in the air. The opportunity to be the spinner is offered in turn to gamblers in the school.
Boxer
Boxer
Term
Boxer
Meaning
Person who manages the game, usually provides the equipment, monitors the betting, takes commission and does not participate in betting.
Ringkeeper (Ringie)
Ringkeeper (Ringie)
Term
Ringkeeper (Ringie)
Meaning
Person who calls the validity of each throw and looks after the coins between throws, to avoid loss or interference. Places the coins on the kip for the spinner when the betting round is complete, and calls "Come in, Spinner" to allow the throw to take place. Sometimes also known as the "Bender", for bending down to retrieve the coins.
Kip
Kip
Term
Kip
Meaning
A small piece of wood on which the coins are placed before being tossed. Sometimes the resting area for the coins is covered in canvas or leather to improve friction. In some games, coins are placed tails (white cross) up. In casino games the coins are placed with opposing (one head, one tail) sides up.
Toss the Kip
Toss the Kip
Term
Toss the Kip
Meaning
The Spinner hands the kip back to the Ringkeeper before a possibly losing throw, i.e. to retire after a winning throw.
Heads
Heads
Term
Heads
Meaning
Both coins land with the "head" side facing up. (Probability 25% (approximately))
Tails
Tails
Term
Tails
Meaning
Both coins land with the "tails" side facing up. (Probability 25%)
Odds or "One Them"
Odds or "One Them"
Term
Odds or "One Them"
Meaning
One coin lands with the "head" side up, and the other lands with the "tails" side up. (Probability 50%)
Odding Out
Odding Out
Term
Odding Out
Meaning
To spin five "odds" in a row. (Probability 3.125%)
Come in, Spinner
Come in, Spinner
Term
Come in, Spinner
Meaning
The call given by the boxer when all bets are placed and the coins are now ready to be tossed.
"Barred"
"Barred"
Term
"Barred"
Meaning
The call when an illegal spin has occurred - the coins have not been thrown higher than the head, or did not rotate in the air.
Cockatoo
Cockatoo
Term
Cockatoo
Meaning
A look-out who warns players of imminent police raids. Dates from the time when playing two-up was illegal.
Term
Meaning
School
The collective noun for a group of gamblers playing two-up.
Ring
The area designated for the spinner to spin the coins. The spinner must stand in the ring to spin, and the coins must land and come to rest within the ring.
Spinner
The person who throws the coins up in the air. The opportunity to be the spinner is offered in turn to gamblers in the school.
Boxer
Person who manages the game, usually provides the equipment, monitors the betting, takes commission and does not participate in betting.
Ringkeeper (Ringie)
Person who calls the validity of each throw and looks after the coins between throws, to avoid loss or interference. Places the coins on the kip for the spinner when the betting round is complete, and calls "Come in, Spinner" to allow the throw to take place. Sometimes also known as the "Bender", for bending down to retrieve the coins.
Kip
A small piece of wood on which the coins are placed before being tossed. Sometimes the resting area for the coins is covered in canvas or leather to improve friction. In some games, coins are placed tails (white cross) up. In casino games the coins are placed with opposing (one head, one tail) sides up.
Toss the Kip
The Spinner hands the kip back to the Ringkeeper before a possibly losing throw, i.e. to retire after a winning throw.
Heads
Both coins land with the "head" side facing up. (Probability 25% (approximately))
Tails
Both coins land with the "tails" side facing up. (Probability 25%)
Odds or "One Them"
One coin lands with the "head" side up, and the other lands with the "tails" side up. (Probability 50%)
Odding Out
To spin five "odds" in a row. (Probability 3.125%)
Come in, Spinner
The call given by the boxer when all bets are placed and the coins are now ready to be tossed.
"Barred"
The call when an illegal spin has occurred - the coins have not been thrown higher than the head, or did not rotate in the air.
Cockatoo
A look-out who warns players of imminent police raids. Dates from the time when playing two-up was illegal.
Casino Odds · History
Single Head
Single Head
Bet Type
Single Head
Casino Edge
3.125%
Payout
1–1
Description
Spinner spins a pair of heads before a pair of tails or odding out.
Single Tail
Single Tail
Bet Type
Single Tail
Casino Edge
3.125%
Payout
1–1
Description
Spinner spins a pair of tails before a pair of heads or odding out.
5 Odds
5 Odds
Bet Type
5 Odds
Casino Edge
9.375%
Payout
28–1
Description
Spinner spins five odds in a row ("odding out") before either a pair of heads or a pair of tails.
Spinner's Bet
Spinner's Bet
Bet Type
Spinner's Bet
Casino Edge
3.400%
Payout
15–2
Description
Only available to the current spinner. The spinner attempts to spin either three pair of heads or three pair of tails, and will win if they do so before either a) getting the opposite result or b) odding out.
Bet Type
Casino Edge
Payout
Description
Single Head
3.125%
1–1
Spinner spins a pair of heads before a pair of tails or odding out.
Single Tail
3.125%
1–1
Spinner spins a pair of tails before a pair of heads or odding out.
5 Odds
9.375%
28–1
Spinner spins five odds in a row ("odding out") before either a pair of heads or a pair of tails.
Spinner's Bet
3.400%
15–2
Only available to the current spinner. The spinner attempts to spin either three pair of heads or three pair of tails, and will win if they do so before either a) getting the opposite result or b) odding out.
Image
Source:
Tip: Wheel or +/− to zoom, drag to pan, Esc to close.