ANZAC Day and a game they call "Two Up"

Truly, there is no holiday to compare with the Australia National Holiday known as Anzac Day! Its a mix between tailgating at a football game with July 4th with legal gambling mixed with a game I never heard of. Strange I know but what a great day and a tradition that I plan to continue with.

For those that don't know, today was a public holiday here in Australia known as Anzac Day. It is a holiday that celebrates the memory of all veterans that have died and or fought in all wars. The day starts with a commemorative dawn service at dawn followed by a ceremony at the Australia War Memorial. Two things that we did not take part in.

Unofficially, the day is filled with drinking, eating and a game EVERYONE knows as "2 Up." We met up with our friends Alex and Michelle around noon to catch the ferry to Manly. Once there we met up with another 2 friends Charles and Steve. Our first destination was the Skiff Club where following a quick bite to eat the betting and shenanigans began.

Here are the rules of 2 Up: (first day playing so I hope I get them all)
Someone pays to become a spinner, the spinner, who doesn't actually spin anything, is the person holding the wooden stick that flips 3 coins and hopes for at least 2 of the 3 to land on heads. Someone from the crowd has to match the amount that the spinner puts down. As long as the spinner continues to flip heads he continues to play. Each play the spinner's money doubles and again needs someone to match.
All the while, everyone in the crowd is making side bets with each other betting on whether the spinner will get heads or tails. Some bets are as small as $5 but I saw others go up to $500 for one spin!

Confusing I know! But heaps of fun! After the Skiff we headed to another place that was even crazier! I am already looking forward to next year!