Aussies flock to pubs to play illegal game
The game is strictly illegal in Australia with the exception of Anzac Day.
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.
While it's remained a much-loved tradition across RSLs, the game is illegal to play across the country for most of the year, with the only exception being Anzac Day. A lively game of two-up is underway at The Palace Hotel in Melbourne. NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui Credit: News Corp Australia
However, these rules vary depending on the state you live in.
The game involves a 'spinner' tossing pennies into the air.
The crowd and the spinner then bets on whether they will land as two heads, two tails or one of each, the latter of which is referred to as 'odds'.
Matches of the traditional game have officially kicked off this Anzac Day.
Two-up players and punters alike were spotted at The Palace Hotel in South Melbourne on Friday afternoon.
Pictures captured pennies being thrown up in the air as bystanders shook hands and placed bets.
While onlookers are generally only able to bet on heads or tails, some venues may allow people to bet on odds. The popular game is banned across the country with the exception of Anzac Day. NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui Credit: News Corp Australia The game was played by officers during the First World War and became an increasingly popular pastime for the men in the trenches. NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui Credit: News Corp Australia
Dutton booed after playing two-up
Peter Dutton was booed at a bustling Townsville RSL stacked to the brim with ineberontiated punters, but not for his politics.
The Opposition Leader landed in the country's biggest garrison town after attending The Dawn Service on Anzac Day in Brisbane.
Shortly after 1pm on Friday Mr Dutton played a few rounds of two-up before making his way back through the crowd, who chanted for him to do a shoey.
The Coalition leader declined, of course, to jeers of the crowd, but was likely to have to won back their favour when he got behind the bar.
Mr Dutton briefly poured Great Northern Super Crisp Lager for the rowdy crowd.
RSL scraps traditional game
North Bondi RSL decided to scrap the game this Anzac Day following requests from veteran members.
The decision was slammed as 'un-Australian' by some, however Waverley Council Bondi Ward Councillor Margaret Merten said she believed the club 'made the right call'.
'There are plenty of other places in Bondi that are hosting two-up games, and anyone who wants to go along and play will have lots of choice,' Ms Merten told NewsWire.
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. Onlookers can generally only bet on heads or tails, however some venues allow bets on odds. NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui Credit: News Corp Australia
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.
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Herald Sun
7 hours ago
- Herald Sun
Maharaj, Markram, steer South Africa to big win against Australia
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News. Australia has been served a brutal defeat to open its one-day series against South Africa, going down by 98 runs at Cazalys Stadium on Tuesday night. The hosts suffered a calamitous batting collapse at the hands of Keshav Maharaj, with the veteran off-spinner ripping through Australia's top and middle order in Cairns. After a promising start to their run chase, Australia lost six wickets for just 19 runs, with five of those coming at the hands of Maharaj. The hosts seemed to have no answer for the 35-year-old tweaker, who had never taken a five wicket haul in ODIs before. 'To see it come together is super special. You train really hard as individuals and as a team to get that kind of performance,' he said. 'As a cricketer you want to take five-fors in multiple formats, and so to tick ODIs off the list after having done it in Test cricket before it's good to get one under the belt in white ball cricket.' Keshav Maharaj celebrates one of his five wickets. Picture: Getty Images It's a performance which will have George Bailey and the rest of the Australian selection panel scratching their heads. Test cricket mainstays Alex Carey (golden duck) and Cam Green (3) both disappointed, while Marnus Labuschagne (1) and Josh Inglis (5) both failed to push their case for a recall. Maharaj finished with figures of 5/33 off 10 overs, the fourth best by a South African in ODIs on Australian soil. It's a performance that sees him join the ranks of Proteas legends like Morne Morkel and Lance Klusner. 'To be mentioned in the conversation with legends is always a special feeling,' he said. 'Whenever you get acknowledged in those conversations it's special.' Captain Mitchell Marsh and Ben Dwarshius mounted a fightback, with the former making a gallant half-century as the rest of his batting lineup tumbled around him. Marsh said the Aussies simply had to 'take their hat off' to a performance like the one Maharaj produced. 'The newer ball spun more than what we probably thought it would. But he's a world-class bowler and on days like today you just probably just take your hat off to him.' Dwarshius played well for his 33, before getting himself out in the meekest manner possible, bunting a simple catch to Dewald Brevis at short mid-wicket. Marsh's defiance in the face of ever-growing odds was heroic, but he was ultimately caught fishing 12 short of a century. 'I think over the past month and a half, Ben's development in this format has been really impressive,' Marsh said. 'He's a really good fielder, he's obviously got a lot of value with the ball and can bat.' Having been set a target of 297 for victory, the Aussies fell well short, ultimately dismissed for 198 with just under 10 overs remaining. Lungi Ngidi was next best in the SA bowling attack, taking 2/28, while Nandre Burger claimed a pair of scalps as well. Mitchell Marsh provided the main resistance with the bat. Picture: AFP HEAD STARS IN AUSSIE FIGHTBACK Travis Head will be claiming genuine all-rounder honours after his efforts with ball in hand, claiming four wickets including the prized scalp of Brevis The Aussies looked sure to be staring down the barrel of a total of significantly more than 300, but the spin partnership of Adam Zampa and Head helped them claw their way back into the contest. Just as South Africa looked poised to capitalise on their strong start and put together a massive total, the Aussies found their way back into the contest. They did so via the spin tandem of specialist Zampa and Head. Travis Head took four wickets, and a superb run out. Picture: AFP It was the former who knocked over the first domino, having Breetzke caught in the deep for 57. Subsequently, Head struck twice in the span of three balls, first having Tristan Stubbs caught for a duck. And while 22-year-old sensation Brevis made a statement with his first ball, he was brought unstuck by his second, departing for six as he holed out to long on. The 31-year-old could do no wrong, picking up his fourth wicket when he had Keshav Maharaj caught in the deep. And he was able to effect the unluckiest of run outs for Prenelan Subrayen, getting a fingertip to the ball as it flew back toward the stumps at the non-striker's end, with the off-spinner caught millimetres short of his ground. 'Trav has been bowling a lot in the nets preparing for a day like today,' Marsh said. 'It's so handy to have someone like him, especially on the bigger ground using the wind. 'We've done that a few times with him and it was effective today.' DRS SHENANIGANS The umpires likely didn't make any friends in the Australian camp, after the hosts endured a brutal day with the DRS. Nathan Ellis copped a tough decision LBW from the umpires, but with the Aussies having burned their reviews he lost any chance at a reprieve. That came after South African opener Ryan Rickelton was initially given out by field umpire Sam Nogajski, only to have DRS reveal the ball was going over the top of middle stump. Then five balls later Marsh unsuccessfully reviewed a decision by Chris Gaffaney, who gave Rickelton not out LBW, with the ball found to be pitching outside leg stump. Aiden Markram led the way for South Africa with the bat. Picture: AFP The Aussies then burned both of their reviews before the first drinks break of their innings, with both Labuschagne and Carey sent packing after their LBW reviews showed up with three red lights. The tables were turned later on, as an LBW appeal by South Africa was initially turned down, and while a spike on snicko wasn't enough to deter the TV umpire, the 'umpire's call' orange light stepped in to save Ellis. INNINGS BREAK: Head reels in South Africa A flurry of wickets in the final 10 overs has helped Australia keep South Africa to a manageable target in the first one-day international in Cairns. Travis Head will be claiming genuine all-rounder honours after his efforts with ball in hand, claiming four wickets including the prized scalp of Dewald Brevis. The Aussies looked sure to be staring down the barrel of a total of significantly more than 300, but the spin partnership of Adam Zampa and Head helped them claw their way back into the contest. The tourists got the start they would've been hoping for via the opening pair of Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton, as they put on 92 for the first wicket. Aiden Markram was in superb touch in his return to the top of the order. Picture: AFP Markram looked a near certainty to reach three figures, cruising to 82 at just better than a run a ball and looking totally untroubled at the crease. But a brain fade near the halfway point of the innings brought him unstuck, as he guided a Ben Dwarshius delivery into the waiting gloves of Josh Inglis. His departure brought Matthew Breetzke to the crease to pair with captain Temba Bavuma. Their partnership wasn't all that flashy, but it was effective, as they took the Proteas all the way to 3/223 at the 40-over mark. Just as South Africa looked poised to capitalise on their strong start and put together a massive total, the Aussies found their way back into the contest. Travis Head took four wickets, and a superb run out. Picture: AFP They did so via the spin tandem of specialist Zampa and Head. It was the former who knocked over the first domino, having Breetzke caught in the deep for 57. Subsequently, Head struck twice in the span of three balls, first having Tristan Stubbs caught for a duck. And while 22-year-old sensation Brevis made a statement with his first ball, he was brought unstuck by his second, departing for six as he holed out to long on. South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma reacts as he walks off the ground after being bowled out. Picture: AFP The 31-year-old could do no wrong, picking up his fourth wicket when he had Keshav Maharaj caught in the deep. And he was able to effect the unluckiest of run outs for Prenelan Subrayen, getting a fingertip to the ball as it flew back toward the stumps at the non-strikers end, with the off-spinner caught millimetres short of his ground. A last-ball six from Wiaan Mulder (31 off 26) was enough to see the Proteas just short of the 300 mark, as they finished their allotment on 8/296. Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of the ODI series. Picture: Getty Images Meanwhile, South Africa pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada was ruled out of the three-match one-day international series against Australia because of inflammation in his ankle. Rabada played all three Twenty20s in the preceding series between the teams but underwent a scan on Monday after feeling discomfort. South Africa announced Rabada's withdrawal just one hour before the ODI series-opener in Cairns. He will remain on the Australia tour, where he will undergo rehabilitation. Left-arm 19-year-old quick Kwena Maphaka, who claimed a leading nine wickets in the T20 series, has been added to the squad but was overlooked for the series-opener. Veteran quick Lungi Ngidi leads a South African attack featuring off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen, who makes his ODI debut. South Africa were sent in to bat first. Originally published as Australia vs. South Africa, first ODI: Maharaj, Markram, steer South Africa to big win
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- The Advertiser
Dewald and dew a potential Aussie headache in ODIs
The dew and a bloke dubbed 'Baby AB' loom as Australia's two biggest obstacles when their three-match ODI series against South Africa gets underway in Cairns on Tuesday. Glenn Maxwell's unbeaten 62 off 36 balls in the deciding game three of the T20 series helped Australia wrap up a 2-1 victory in that format on Saturday night. Maxwell hit the game-winning four with the penultimate delivery to secure the thrilling two-wicket victory in Cairns. But it wasn't the only talking point to come out of the match, with the dew and the explosive hitting from South African rising star Dewald Brevis also notable. Brevis followed up his unbeaten 125 off 56 balls in game two with a thumping 53 off 26 balls in game three, with the 22-year-old striking Aaron Hardie for four consecutive sixes. The man dubbed 'Baby AB' in reference to South African great AB de Villiers looks set to be handed his ODI debut for Tuesday's series opener to give him a chance to inflict more pain on the Aussies. The dewy outfield in Cairns also wreaked havoc - mostly for the South Africans given they had to bowl second. At the beginning of the crucial 18th over and with Australia still requiring 27 runs for victory, South African paceman Kagiso Rabada unleashed a beamer that flew more than a metre above Maxwell's head and through to the wicketkeeper without bouncing. Rabada looked at his hand in disbelief immediately after the mishap, and his subsequent free hit was struck for six by Maxwell as Australia set sail for victory. Dew was also an issue in Darwin at the start of the T20 series and it could be a factor yet again for the ODI opener at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns on Tuesday. Australia captain Mitch Marsh, who has elected to bowl first in all 20 of his coin toss wins across ODIs and T20 internationals, is aware of the dew factor. "We saw the ball get really soft in Darwin," Marsh said on Monday. "Playing with dew is not something we're used to in Australia, so that's been a challenge for us. "Hopefully there's not too much dew and it's an even ball game." Games two and three of the ODI series will be played at the recently refurbished Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. Australia's most recent ODI match was their semi-final loss to India at the Champions Trophy in March. Maxwell and Steve Smith have since retired from the format, Spencer Johnson and Matt Short are currently injured, while Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sean Abbott and Tanveer Sangha haven't been selected for the upcoming ODI series. With the T20s out of the way, South Africa have welcomed in captain Temba Bavuma, veteran spinner Keshav Maharaj and recent Test triple-centurion Wiaan Mulder, as well as top-order batters Matthew Breetzke and Tony de Zorzi. Marsh is captaining the Australian side in the ODIs due to the absence of Pat Cummins, who is busy preparing for this summer's Ashes series. Despite the euphoria of the T20 series win, Australia's players have quickly reset their focus for the ODIs. "We start the series fresh, we start the series 0-0," Marsh said. "We know these shorter series it's really important to get off to a (fast) start, so hopefully that's the case tomorrow." The dew and a bloke dubbed 'Baby AB' loom as Australia's two biggest obstacles when their three-match ODI series against South Africa gets underway in Cairns on Tuesday. Glenn Maxwell's unbeaten 62 off 36 balls in the deciding game three of the T20 series helped Australia wrap up a 2-1 victory in that format on Saturday night. Maxwell hit the game-winning four with the penultimate delivery to secure the thrilling two-wicket victory in Cairns. But it wasn't the only talking point to come out of the match, with the dew and the explosive hitting from South African rising star Dewald Brevis also notable. Brevis followed up his unbeaten 125 off 56 balls in game two with a thumping 53 off 26 balls in game three, with the 22-year-old striking Aaron Hardie for four consecutive sixes. The man dubbed 'Baby AB' in reference to South African great AB de Villiers looks set to be handed his ODI debut for Tuesday's series opener to give him a chance to inflict more pain on the Aussies. The dewy outfield in Cairns also wreaked havoc - mostly for the South Africans given they had to bowl second. At the beginning of the crucial 18th over and with Australia still requiring 27 runs for victory, South African paceman Kagiso Rabada unleashed a beamer that flew more than a metre above Maxwell's head and through to the wicketkeeper without bouncing. Rabada looked at his hand in disbelief immediately after the mishap, and his subsequent free hit was struck for six by Maxwell as Australia set sail for victory. Dew was also an issue in Darwin at the start of the T20 series and it could be a factor yet again for the ODI opener at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns on Tuesday. Australia captain Mitch Marsh, who has elected to bowl first in all 20 of his coin toss wins across ODIs and T20 internationals, is aware of the dew factor. "We saw the ball get really soft in Darwin," Marsh said on Monday. "Playing with dew is not something we're used to in Australia, so that's been a challenge for us. "Hopefully there's not too much dew and it's an even ball game." Games two and three of the ODI series will be played at the recently refurbished Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. Australia's most recent ODI match was their semi-final loss to India at the Champions Trophy in March. Maxwell and Steve Smith have since retired from the format, Spencer Johnson and Matt Short are currently injured, while Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sean Abbott and Tanveer Sangha haven't been selected for the upcoming ODI series. With the T20s out of the way, South Africa have welcomed in captain Temba Bavuma, veteran spinner Keshav Maharaj and recent Test triple-centurion Wiaan Mulder, as well as top-order batters Matthew Breetzke and Tony de Zorzi. Marsh is captaining the Australian side in the ODIs due to the absence of Pat Cummins, who is busy preparing for this summer's Ashes series. Despite the euphoria of the T20 series win, Australia's players have quickly reset their focus for the ODIs. "We start the series fresh, we start the series 0-0," Marsh said. "We know these shorter series it's really important to get off to a (fast) start, so hopefully that's the case tomorrow." The dew and a bloke dubbed 'Baby AB' loom as Australia's two biggest obstacles when their three-match ODI series against South Africa gets underway in Cairns on Tuesday. Glenn Maxwell's unbeaten 62 off 36 balls in the deciding game three of the T20 series helped Australia wrap up a 2-1 victory in that format on Saturday night. Maxwell hit the game-winning four with the penultimate delivery to secure the thrilling two-wicket victory in Cairns. But it wasn't the only talking point to come out of the match, with the dew and the explosive hitting from South African rising star Dewald Brevis also notable. Brevis followed up his unbeaten 125 off 56 balls in game two with a thumping 53 off 26 balls in game three, with the 22-year-old striking Aaron Hardie for four consecutive sixes. The man dubbed 'Baby AB' in reference to South African great AB de Villiers looks set to be handed his ODI debut for Tuesday's series opener to give him a chance to inflict more pain on the Aussies. The dewy outfield in Cairns also wreaked havoc - mostly for the South Africans given they had to bowl second. At the beginning of the crucial 18th over and with Australia still requiring 27 runs for victory, South African paceman Kagiso Rabada unleashed a beamer that flew more than a metre above Maxwell's head and through to the wicketkeeper without bouncing. Rabada looked at his hand in disbelief immediately after the mishap, and his subsequent free hit was struck for six by Maxwell as Australia set sail for victory. Dew was also an issue in Darwin at the start of the T20 series and it could be a factor yet again for the ODI opener at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns on Tuesday. Australia captain Mitch Marsh, who has elected to bowl first in all 20 of his coin toss wins across ODIs and T20 internationals, is aware of the dew factor. "We saw the ball get really soft in Darwin," Marsh said on Monday. "Playing with dew is not something we're used to in Australia, so that's been a challenge for us. "Hopefully there's not too much dew and it's an even ball game." Games two and three of the ODI series will be played at the recently refurbished Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. Australia's most recent ODI match was their semi-final loss to India at the Champions Trophy in March. Maxwell and Steve Smith have since retired from the format, Spencer Johnson and Matt Short are currently injured, while Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sean Abbott and Tanveer Sangha haven't been selected for the upcoming ODI series. With the T20s out of the way, South Africa have welcomed in captain Temba Bavuma, veteran spinner Keshav Maharaj and recent Test triple-centurion Wiaan Mulder, as well as top-order batters Matthew Breetzke and Tony de Zorzi. Marsh is captaining the Australian side in the ODIs due to the absence of Pat Cummins, who is busy preparing for this summer's Ashes series. Despite the euphoria of the T20 series win, Australia's players have quickly reset their focus for the ODIs. "We start the series fresh, we start the series 0-0," Marsh said. "We know these shorter series it's really important to get off to a (fast) start, so hopefully that's the case tomorrow."
News.com.au
2 days ago
- News.com.au
Scottie Scheffler wins for 13th time in 18 months as final Australian dumped from PGA Tour playoffs
There will be no Australian presence in the PGA Tour's season-ending Tour Championship for the first time this century after Jason Day's final round collapse at the BMW Championship where Scottie Scheffler secured a staggering 13th win in the past 18 months. Only three Aussies made the playoffs, and only Day made it to the second event in Maryland after both Min Woo Lee and Cam Davis crashed out. But needing to climb into the top 30 on the FedEx Cup rankings to compete in the season-ending $40m event, Day crashed with a closing three-over 73 to finish tied for 23rd at the BMW and 44th on the rankings. He was 16 shots behind the almost unbeatable Scheffler, who won for an 18th time in just five full seasons on the tour, which he joined in 2020. It was his fifth win in 2025, adding to his two major triumphs at the British Open and the PGA Championship. The victory was Scheffler's staggering 13th in the past 18 months, a run that began at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March 2024. It's a period of dominance only bettered by the likes of Tiger Woods in the history of the game. 'It's been a nice stretch the last few years and I've done some really good things,' Scheffler said modestly after his BMW win. 'It's nice to get the results from a lot of hard work. That's not something I think about day to day. I try to approach everything week by week, and when you really boil down to it, just day by day. 'This week was a good week. It was a battle all the way through, fortunate to be sitting here.' Scheffler, 29, hasn't finished lower than eighth in his past 13 events, winning five of them. He is already third on the all-time PGA Tour money winners list after being been rookie of the year in 2020, his first full season on the tour. The four-time major champion has won in excess of $150m and now trails only Rory McIlroy and Woods. Scheffler could moving within touching distance of McIlroy in second next week with a $15m first prize on offer at the Tour Championship in Atlanta. By comparison, Adam Scott has won just more than $107m in career earnings, the leading Australian on the PGA Tour list, but across 25 years.
