‘Come in, spinner’: How to play traditional game two-up on Anzac Day

Despite being banned for most days of the year, pubs will hear the chants to “come in spinner” as a traditional pastime becomes legal for Anzac Day. Here’s how to win.

It’s a traditional Australian game that is off limits for the majority of the calendar, but on Anzac Day, you’ll see it played in pubs all over the coutry.

Two-up is a traditional gambling game that is strictly illegal across the country with the exception of Anzac Day.

Two-up will be allowed across pubs and RSLs on Anzac Day. Picture: NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

While there’s evidence the game was played by convicts in the 18th and 19th centuries, the coin tossing game is best-associated with Anzac Day.

The game was played by officers during the First World War, and became an increasingly popular pastime for the men in the trenches.

Despite its declining popularity in the decades since, two-up has remained a much-loved tradition across RSLs on Anzac Day.

Generally illegal to play across the country for the majority of the year, the only exception is April 25 every year.

However, these rules vary depending on the state you live in.

The game is usually illegal across the country.. Picture: NewsWire / Glenn Campbell

In Victoria, people can only take part in two-up games in the seven days leading up to Anzac Day, and must only be played in an approved RSL sub-branch or a venue approved by RSL Victoria.

It’s a similar story in NSW, where people are only permitted to participate in the gambling game on Anzac Day, Victory in the Pacific Day on August 15, and Remembrance Day on November 11 after midday.

The only exception to this rule is in Broken Hill, thanks to a special license from the NSW Government, which allows the outback town to play the game year-round.

It is also illegal in Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania and the two territories, with the exception of Anzac Day.

It is also legal to play year-round in Kalgoorlie, WA, due to its historic connection with the game. The town also features the only legal designated two-up school in the country, where the game has been played since the ’70s.

It’s a traditional betting game that’s been played by Australians for centuries. Picture: NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

How do you play two-up?

Two-up, like other coin tossing games, is relatively simple to play, however, the rules may vary depending on where you live.

Generally speaking, the ringkeeper – known as a “ringie” – selects a player or “spinner” to enter the game, usually by calling out, “Come in, spinner!”

The spinner will stand in the ring – a designated circle in the venue where only the spinner is allowed to stand – and hold a wooden bat, known as a “kip” with two pennies on it.

Traditionally, the game is played with pennies, as they offer the perfect weight and size ratio for easier spinning and landing.

The spinner will toss the coins in the air – at least three metres – and the crowd has to bet on the way the coins will land.

There are three possible outcomes: two heads, two tails or one of each, known as “odds”, with the spinner placing a bet on a particular outcome, and the crowd betting on the other.

The coins must be thrown at least 3m into the air and have to fall within the boundaries of the circle to be accepted in the game.

Those watching can only bet on either heads or tails, though some venues allow bets on odds, and the outcome of the game is determined by the ringie.

The ringie’s decision is final and the winner takes their earnings.

Remember to gamble responsibly.

Originally published as ‘Come in, spinner’: How to play traditional game two-up on Anzac Day