HEADS or tails – it was the age-old question on everybody’s lips in the pubs of Newcastle on Anzac Day.
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Hundreds of punters flocked to busy watering holes to play two-up – an Anzac Day tradition and a significant part of Australian culture.
The game, which has its origins in the trenches of World War I, is only legal in pubs on Anzac Day.
With a beer in one hand and cash in the other, punters at the Cricketers Arms in Cooks Hill kept the tradition alive.
Two coins are thrown three metres into the air and players bet on whether it falls on two heads, two tails or one head and tail (“odds”).
Newcastle’s Becky Rogers was ringside and howled out her winning combination with conviction.
According to Ms Rogers, the secret to what is essentially a game of chance is a matter of perspective.
“You’ve just got to go with your gut instinct,” she said.
“It’s one of the great things about Anzac Day … everyone comes together and is part of the Australian community.”
Murray Hayes said he “lost way too much already”.
“There’s always winners and losers – I lost,” he said.
Darren Wilton, who was the “ringmaster” at the Bennett Hotel in Hamilton, said it was a “tail’s day” in his ring, with all takings to be donated to charity.
“There’s been a bit of money exchanged so far,” he said.
“You get the people a bit later in the day who spend a bit more – it might be the alcohol consumption there – it goes hand in hand.
“But plenty of people are just here having fun; it’s a good crowd.”
Bennett Hotel publican David McCoy was pleased to see a young crowd at his pub.
“It shows that the Anzac spirit is alive and well,” he said.
TWO-UP
Spinner: Tosses coins.
Boxer: Manages game and betting. Cannot bet.
Ring: Circle for game.
Kip: Flat paddle of wood about 20cm long. Coins are placed on before toss — one with head facing up, the other with tail up.
Heads: Both coins land inside ring with heads up.
Tails: Both coins land with tails facing up.
Odds: One coin shows a head and the other a tail.
Odding Out: Spinning five “odds” in a row, ending spinner’s run.
Come in Spinner: Call given by boxer after all bets have been placed and spinner can toss.
Cockatoo: Lookout who watched for police when two-up was still illegal.
