A mix of first-time players and more seasoned practitioners took turns stepping into the ring at Wests’ Diggers’ grand ballroom in Tamworth to try their luck yesterday.
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Under the hopeful gazes of side-betters surrounding the field of play, participants hurled pennies into the air in an apt commemoration of our fallen war heroes.
With gambling laws in NSW restricting the playing of two-up to just three days a year – Anzac Day, VP Day and Remembrance Day – people made the most of the rare opportunity.
In a case of beginner’s luck, Tamworth woman Fiona Moore walked into the ring with $10 and left holding a cool $80 after the pennies fell in her favour.
“It’s really nice to be part of such a tradition,” she said. “I had no idea what I was doing, though.”
Two-up is a game in which either two or three pennies are spun into the air off a wooden kip and bets are laid on whether they land heads or tails.
Having been taught to play by her father when she turned 18, it was no surprise when St Nicholas Primary School teacher Hannah Miles walked away with $85.
After marching with her students in the morning, Miss Miles headed to Diggers to continue her commemoration of our servicemen and women.
“It’s important for us to teach younger generations about the Diggers and the game they would have enjoyed back then,” she said.
