Most Australians believe two-up can only be played in pubs and clubs on Anzac Day but there are other occasions the coins can be tossed legally.
While rules vary from state to state, the game can also be played in New South Wales on Victory in the Pacific Day (August 15) and Remembrance Day (November 11) – but only after noon.
The former marks the defeat of the Japanese in World War II in 1945 and the later the end of World War 1 in 1918.
Most Australians believe two-up coins can only be tossed in pubs and clubs on Anzac Day but there are other occasions it can be legally played. A game is pictured in The Rocks in Sydney on Monday
While rules vary from state to state, the game can also be played in New South Wales on Victory in the Pacific Day (August 15) and Remembrance Day (November 11) – but only after noon
A further exemption under the Gambling (Two-up) Act 1998 allows two-up in Broken Hill all year around because of the far western NSW town’s historic association with the game.
Thousands of punters flocked to pubs and clubs after the restrictions on two-up were further loosened for this year’s Anzac Day. NSW temporarily extended the exemption to the entire long weekend.
The one-off initiative aimed to give back to veterans who missed out during the Covid-19 pandemic at the biggest Anzac Day commemoration since 2019.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison joined Darwin punters in a game of two-up at the Cazalys Palmerston Club on Monday
Victoria’s Gambling Regulation Act 2003 permits the conduct of two-up on Anzac Day – or in the seven days leading up to April 25 – at any RSL club, sub-branch or other venue used by the veterans’ organisation.
Queensland allows two-up to be played in an RSL club on Anzac Day or ‘another day that is significant to the remembrance of the sacrifice for the nation by the men and women of its Defence Force.’
In South Australia, the game is ‘not unlawful’ when played on Anzac Day on premises occupied by the RSL or the Defence Force.
Two-up can only be played in Tasmania on Anzac Day, between 6am and 6pm, and permits can be sought in Western Australia for games on Anzac Day and August 18 – Vietnam Veterans’ Day.
Thousands of punters took part in the traditional Anzac Day pastime of two-up over this year’s long weekend
Western Australia also permits two-up at country race clubs more than 100km from the Crown Perth casino. It can only be played on race days.
The Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory allow two-up to be played on Anzac Day.
Australian soldiers regularly played two-up in trenches and on troopships during World War I but it was already popular among convicts in the late 18th century and on the goldfields of the 1850s.
Veterans continued to play the game when they returned home from war until it was eventually banned by the NSW government in 1981. Other states followed suit several years later.
The game involves a designated ‘spinner’ who throws two pennies into the air as players bet on whether the coins will land on heads or tails.
Two-up explained: How to play
Two pennies are used to play two-up. The tails are often marked with white crosses
These rules can be used to govern the playing of Two-up, but are not mandatory.
The decision of the ringkeeper will be final
The ringkeeper shall select a spinner by offering the kip clockwise around the ring and shall hand the kip to the first person who accepts it
There shall be two sets of seven pennies held by the ringkeeper. The spinner shall select two pennies from one of the sets, thrown down inside the ring by the ringkeeper
Only two pennies shall be used
A change of pennies shall be at the discretion of the ringkeeper
The tail side of pennies will be marked with a white cross
The spinner shall place pennies tails up on the kip
The spinner shall select two other pennies from the remaining five of the set after throwing three consecutive pairs of heads. The ringkeeper shall retain the winning two pennies and throw down the balance of the set for the spinner to make the selection
The spinner cannot take a dividend before three consecutive heads are thrown
In the event that the spinner throws tails, the spinner shall lose the total of the moneys in the centre and the right to spin
The ringkeeper shall declare a spin invalid by announcing ‘no spin’ or ‘barred’
Centre monies shall be set in full before any side bets may be made
Only the spinner shall be permitted within the boundaries of the ring during play
A spinner after throwing three consecutive pairs of heads may withdraw from the centre
No person under the age of 18 years shall be permitted in that area of the Two-up premises where the game is being conducted while the game is being conducted and played
Unseemly conduct or offensive language shall not be tolerated
The spinner shall hand the ringkeeper the amount of money the spinner wishes to spin for, the ringkeeper shall hold that money and the equivalent amount from a tail bettor to cover the bet
Source: Liquor and Gaming NSW
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