Two up – a great casino game

This is an Australian game popular since the First World War. It is played in their casinos with two pennies and a flat piece of wood called the 'kip'. The pennies are placed on the kip, one with heads facing up and the other with tails facing up. The spinner (the player who tosses the pennies) and the other players bet on possible combinations of the two pennies when they land. Players can bet on heads (both pennies show heads), tails (both pennies show tails) or five consecutive odds (one penny shows heads, the other penny shows tails). Wagers are placed in the boxes marked on the playing table. The spinner tosses the pennies into the air. The pennies must rise at least one meter above the spinner's head and must spin, or a 'no spin' is declared. The Dealer confirms the winning combination for the round. The spinner is chosen from players around the betting ring.

The spinner wins by making three consecutive sets of what he or she has elected to spin for, and is paid odds of 7.5 to 1. Spin the opposite or five consecutive odds and the spinner loses, retiring from the pit to make way for the next spinner. A standoff is declared when the pennies come down odds and all bets must remain until heads or tails are thrown, or the spinner continues to throw 5 consecutive odds. The spinner may also have a side bet on heads, tails or five odds. The odds are also interesting; Heads: Even money, Tails: Even money, Five consecutive odds: 25 to 1, Spinner's bet on heads or tails: 7.5 to 1. The next time you’re in Australia try this fun and interesting game.