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Archiver > GENIRE > 1999-01 > 0915836463


From: "Bryan Kenna" <>
Subject: Re: Pitch and toss
Date: Sat, 9 Jan 1999 10:01:03 +1100


Thanks Frank and Dulcie,

for the explanations on "pitch and toss." It is interesting to compare this
game with Australian "two up" played by early AUS settlers and even today
on certain occasions. It probably was introduced by the Irish. Two up
consists of one player tossing two pennies in the air, usually from a
small wodden slat. if the 'spinner' throws two heads or two tails s/he
keeps spinning and the crowd bets on whether or not the spinner can throw
two of a kind. The heads are usually painted with a white cross. This
compares with the second version in your email. It is illegal and large
sums of money can change hands very rapidly. It's playing is usually
accompanied by a kind of 'lingo' from those who are devotees.

Slan go foill,

Bryan Kenna

> From: Frank McGonigal <>
> To:
> Subject: Pitch and toss
> Date: Thursday, 7 January 1999 6:00
>
> Pitch and toss,if my memory serves me correctly coins were thrown to a
> wall or a stick,and the closest to it picked up all the money,in
> addition,but I'm not sure,someone tossed two Pennies or Halfpennies and
> the onlookers bet on whether it would come up heads or tails,if there
> was one head and one tail they would toss again.A lot of money was bet
> and lost at these TOSSING SCHOOLS and the Police often raided them as
> they were illegal.When that happened it was every man for
> himself.Regards Frank McGonigal
>

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