since the 1940s
aussie rules2 a schoolyard game
schoolkids slang
since the 1890s
since the 1970s
since 1902
queensland slang
aussie rules slang
aussie diminutive
aussie diminutive
aussie slang
since the 1960s
since the 1960s
taswegian slang
melbourne slang
heritage listed on 21 october 1992
aussie diminutive
aussie diminutive
john williamson true blue
first recorded in 1858
How To Play Two-Up
Away from the attention of management or the law, aided by the cockatoo, a look-out who warns players of incoming police raids, a circle of 20 ft radius is drawn in the sand, known as the 'ring'.
The boxer or owner of the game provides the pennies, the kip, and a money tray. He sits where he can see the whole ring.
He supervises the side bets and gets a rake off from all winnings.
The ringkeeper or ringie runs the centre of the ring ensuring that the coins are tossed at least 10 ft in the air, land within the circle, and the spinner remains in the center whilst throwing.
If the ringie is not happy with the throw a "foul toss" or "barred" is called.
When the game is ready the boxer calls to the crowd for a spinner to toss the coins.
The spinner bets that he will "head 'em" , meaning both coins land head-up three times in a row.
Once the center has been set the other players are free to bet with each other. The sleeper catcher, an accepted participant in the game, retrieves bets left on the floor by tardy backers.
When all bets are placed the ringie places the pennies on the kip, tails up, and the boxer gives the call…
Come In SpinnerThe coins are then tossed by the spinner.
- Two heads means the spinner wins.
- Two tails means the spinner loses both their bet and also the right to throw.
- Odds or "one them" means the spinner throws again.
Variations revolve around the definition of "win" and "lose" for the spinner. Some variations include:
- The spinner only wins after successive heads.
- If three heads are required before a tails, with any number of odds, then "odds, heads, odds, odds, heads, odds, heads" is a win.
- If the spinner throws successive odds they lose.
- If five odds thrown before a tails loses while three heads are required to win, then "odds, heads, odds, odds, heads, odds, odds" is a loss.
Words and Phrases in Afferbeck Lauder