Crown Casino Two-Up: A Cultural Heritage

About Two-Up at Crown Casino

Two-Up is a traditional Australian gambling game primarily associated with Anzac Day. Although not a regular feature at Crown Casino, it is celebrated as part of cultural promotions, connecting players to Australia's historical gaming heritage.

Crown Casino is a major player in Australia’s gambling and entertainment industry, but Two-Up—Australia’s traditional coin-tossing game—remains, for the most part, culturally significant yet legally restricted. Traditionally, Two-Up was played by Australian soldiers during World War I and is now strongly associated with Anzac Day, Australia’s national day of remembrance. The game is simple: a “spinner” throws two coins, and players bet on whether both will land heads, tails, or one of each. While Two-Up is illegal to operate as a casino game most of the year, its rich history and nostalgic appeal have kept it alive in both public memory and as a pub ritual on special occasions.

Introduction

Two-Up’s origins are unclear, but it likely developed from earlier coin-toss games brought by British and Irish immigrants. The game became a cultural institution among Australia’s working class and soldiers, particularly during the First World War, when it was played in the trenches and became a symbol of camaraderie and luck. Today, Two-Up is most visibly celebrated on Anzac Day, where pubs and clubs across Australia host games, both as a nod to tradition and to honor the diggers’ experience.

The History of Two-Up at Crown Casino

Origins and Cultural Significance

Two-Up’s origins are unclear, but it likely developed from earlier coin-toss games brought by British and Irish immigrants. The game became a cultural institution among Australia’s working class and soldiers, particularly during the First World War, when it was played in the trenches and became a symbol of camaraderie and luck. Today, Two-Up is most visibly celebrated on Anzac Day, where pubs and clubs across Australia host games, both as a nod to tradition and to honor the diggers’ experience.

Traditional Gameplay

• Setup: The game is played with two coins, typically pre-decimal pennies for their weight and design.
• Roles: A designated spinner tosses both coins using a wooden “kip” for consistency and fairness.
• Betting: Players wager on both coins landing heads (obverse), tails (reverse), or one of each (“odds”). If the result is heads or tails, bets are settled accordingly; if one lands heads and one tails, bets carry over or can be increased for the next toss.
• Special Rules: The design of pre-1939 pennies, with clear heads and tails, makes results easy to determine.

Two-Up's Relationship with Crown Casino

Legally, Two-Up is only permitted in Australia for short periods, typically around Anzac Day, and almost exclusively in non-casino settings like pubs and clubs. While Crown Casino is a major venue for high-stakes table games, including poker and baccarat, Two-Up does not feature as a regular casino game. There is no evidence that Crown Casino currently offers Two-Up, except perhaps as a limited-time event or cultural demonstration on Anzac Day, but even this is not confirmed. Crown Perth and Hobart casinos have, at times, offered a legal version of the game, but it remains rare and highly regulated. In general, the game’s association with Crown Casino is more cultural than practical—reflecting its status as a piece of Australian gambling heritage rather than a featured casino experience.

• Traditional Australian gambling game.
• Strongly associated with Anzac Day.
• Not a regular feature at Crown Casino.
• Celebrated as part of cultural promotions.
• Connects players to Australia's historical gaming heritage.