Gamble responsibly at the two-up ring

Two-up is gambling, and it’s for adults

In a traditional Anzac Day ring nobody takes a commission, and the money bet goes back to players as winnings. That makes the game fair, not safe. On any toss two heads come up one time in four, two tails one time in four and odds one time in two, so any single bet can lose. The numbers, toss by toss, are on the two-up odds page.

Players must be 18 or over. The Liquor & Gaming NSW two-up fact sheet, the WA two-up policy, s 179 of the Charitable and Non-Profit Gaming Act 1999 (Qld) and s 21 of the Unlawful Gambling Act 2009 (ACT) all say so. The customs of the ring, from holding your note up to settling a bet, are in the rules of the ring.

Set your limit before you go

A few habits keep the day about the company and the tradition rather than the cash:

• Decide how much you’re happy to lose before you leave home, and bring that amount in cash.
• Leave your bank cards at home, so the limit stays a limit.
• Treat money you bet as spent, and stop when it’s gone rather than trying to win it back.
• Take a break between rounds; a feed or a yarn with a mate is a natural pause.
• Keep an eye on each other, and head home together.

Free, confidential help at any hour

Gambling Help Online offers free, professional and confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 1800 858 858, or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au to chat online or send an email. It’s a national service, so the number is the same wherever you are in Australia, and it’s the place to start for any kind of gambling.

If you or someone you know needs support right now, Lifeline offers 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention on 13 11 14, or by text on 0477 13 11 14. Lifeline isn’t a gambling service, but it answers at any hour of the day or night, every day of the year.

BetStop covers online and phone betting

BetStop, at betstop.gov.au, is a free Australian Government register that lets you block yourself from all licensed Australian online and phone gambling providers. Registering takes about five minutes. It covers betting accounts, so it doesn’t reach a two-up ring at a pub, club or RSL, where a call to Gambling Help Online is the place to start.

BetStop also covers only licensed providers. Online casinos that take Australian players are offshore and aren’t licensed here, and our page on two-up online explains what the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (Cth) says about them.

One of Australia’s national gambling messages

“Imagine what you could be buying instead.” For free and confidential support, call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.