two-handed game

two-handed game (plural two-handed games)

1. (UK, slang, archaic) A game or proposal in which the chances are fairly even; a situation where one will get as good as one gives.
   • 1849, Masonic Signet and Literary Mirror, volume 1, page 379:

     "Mr. Pillow, Sir, none of your impertinence, or I will chastise you as well as this fellow." "That's a two handed game, by thunder," said Long Tom, " […] I dare you to deadly combat. […] "

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see two-handed,‎ game. (a game for two players)

• John Camden Hotten (1873) The Slang Dictionary