What is two-up? The iconic Aussie diggers game only legal to play a few days each year

SBS Australia

25-04-2025

Since its creation in the mid-19th century, two-up has become a part of folklore among Australian soldiers who played it in the trenches amid the gunfire and artillery of the Gallipoli campaign. The simple game, consisting of a wooden paddle and two coins, captures the playful spirit of Australian diggers in the face of war. Decades later, two-up is still played across the country on Anzac Day in tribute to soldiers who served and died in military operations. But there are restrictions on when you can participate in the iconic game.
Part of the appeal of two-up is that it is simple and requires almost no specialised equipment, just a wooden board and two coins. Then, people bet on the result of the coin flip.
The people participating also have special names. To play, a match manager known as a ringkeeper or ringie will choose a person as the spinner, who throws two coins into the air off a bit of wood known as a kip. Players, referred to as the school, stand in a ring and bet on whether the coins will fall on both heads, both tails, or one head and one tail The coins must fly three metres into the air, not touch the roof, and have to fall within the ring. Two heads mean the spinner wins, two tails mean the spinner loses their bet and the right to spin. One head and one tail mean the spinner throws again. The ringie calls in the result, and money is then exchanged depending on who won the bet. When the spinner eventually loses, a new person gets a turn to throw the coins, and the game continues.
Due to the elements of gambling, playing two-up is largely restricted, with exceptions made for significant events like Anzac Day. Two-up can be played in every state and territory on Friday in venues approved by the respective governments, mainly RSL branches or those with written approval from an RSL branch. Earnings from the game go to the RSL branch or to a nominated charity, and only adults can place bets. In Victoria, two-up can also be played in the seven days leading up to Anzac Day. In NSW, the game is allowed on Victory in the Pacific Day on 15 August and on Remembrance Day afternoon. The only exception to this is in Broken Hill, where the game can be played all year round under a special licence from the NSW government. You can also play a round of two-up at some casinos in Perth, Melbourne and Darwin on Anzac Day. RSL Australia recommends calling your local branch ahead of time to check if they are hosting a game and whether children are allowed on the premises during play.