Playing poker comes with a lot of colorful slang, especially when it comes to nicknames for starting hands in Texas hold’em. For example, pocket aces are called Pocket Rockets, kings are known as Elvis Presley, and ace-kings are famously called Big Slick. Some names come from the way the cards look, like fish hooks for jack-jack or snowman for pocket 8s. Others, like Armani Jeans for Ace Jack, are based on wordplay. One of the most famous nicknames is Ace-8, called the dead man’s hand. Its name comes from a legendary moment in poker history.
The Origin of the Dead Man’s Hand in Poker
The Dead Man’s Hand legend began in the Wild West on August 1, 1876. On that day, James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok entered Nuttal & Mann’s Saloon No. 10 in Deadwood, Dakota Territory, to play poker. Wild Bill, known for his many roles in the West, joined a game with Charles Rich, William Massey, and Carl Mann. He wanted Rich’s seat so he could face the entrance, but Rich refused. This forced Wild Bill to sit with his back to the door.
During the game, Jack “Crooked Nose” McCall entered the saloon, ordered a drink, then shot Wild Bill in the back of the head. Wild Bill died instantly, holding Aces and Eights—the hand now known as the Dead Man’s Hand.
McCall had lost all his money the day before, and Wild Bill gave him money for breakfast. Though McCall accepted it, he felt humiliated. McCall later claimed the killing was revenge for his brother’s death. McCall was hanged on March 1, 1877.
What is the Fifth Card in a Dead Man’s Hand?
No one knows for sure what the fifth card in Hickok’s hand was. If you visit Deadwood today, the Lucky Nugget Gambling Hall (located where Nuttal & Mann’s Saloon once stood) shows Wild Bill with the J♦ as the fifth card. Other displays in Deadwood show the 9♦. The Stardust Casino in Las Vegas shows the 5♦. Some say the fifth card was the Q♥, with a drop of blood on it.
Others claim Wild Bill didn’t have a fifth card at all because he had thrown it away and was about to draw a new one when the shooting happened. People believe he was aiming for a full house. The only thing that’s certain is that he had two black aces and two black 8s.
References to Aces and 8s in Popular Culture
The dead man’s hand, made up of aces and 8s, isn’t just a historical fact. It has appeared in movies, video games, and many other places in modern popular culture. In old Western movies like “Stagecoach” and “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance,” both directed by John Ford, you’ll find this hand. John Wayne holds the hand in “Stagecoach,” while the title character holds it in “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.”
In 1939, Randolph Scott played Wyatt Earp and got the dead man’s hand in “Frontier Marshal.” In 1941, Wild Bill Hickok, played by Richard Dix in “Badlands of Dakota,” ends up with the same cards.
In the 2001 film “Along Came a Spider,” aces and 8s are used as a winning hand in a key poker scene.
The TV show “Deadwood,” set in the Old West of the 18700s, also mentions Wild Bill Hickok’s deadly poker game. Keith Carradine plays Hickok, and the show highlights his life as a poker player, ending in his murder at the poker table by Jack McCall. HBO even released a movie in 2019 to wrap up the series.
The dead man’s hand shows up in other areas of pop culture as well.
Video Games
In “Fallout: New Vegas,” players can take part in quests that involve collecting cards to form the dead man’s hand.
Literature
George R.R. Martin, author of “Game of Thrones,” wrote a fantasy book called “Dead Man’s Hand.”
Music
DJ and music producer Kshmr released a song called “Dead Man’s Hand” in 2015.
Alcohol Industry
Several companies have named their whiskey, rum, and beer after the dead man’s hand. You can find these products in stores in the U.S. and Belgium.
Motorcycle Clubs
A motorcycle club in the U.S. also goes by the name “Dead Man’s Hand,” showing how this poker hand has spread into different parts of society.
The dead man’s hand is one of the most well-known poker hands. If any players at your table know poker history, they might notice this hand when it shows up during the game. Often, the dead man’s hand can win the pot in games like 5-card draw, 5-card stud, or no-limit Texas Hold’em. Wild Bill Hickok’s legend still lives on, making him a memorable figure in both western history and gambling.
FAQs
Why is it called the dead man’s hand in poker?
The dead man’s hand refers to the poker hand Wild Bill Hickok held when he was shot at the poker table. He had a pair of black aces and black eights when Jack McCall shot him. Because of this famous story, two black aces and two black eights are now called the dead man’s hand.
Is the dead man’s hand a good hand?
In today’s poker, the dead man’s hand isn’t seen as a strong hand. It’s a two pair, with aces as the high cards. While it’s not a great hand in ranking, the story behind it makes it special when someone gets the dead man’s hand during a game.
What were the five cards in the dead man’s hand?
When Bill Hickok was shot, he held the ace of spades, ace of clubs, eight of spades, and eight of clubs. The fifth card is unknown. At that time, this hand would have likely won, which made his murder even more tragic.
What is the order of the dead man’s hand?
The order of the cards in the dead man’s hand doesn’t matter. It’s just two black aces and two black eights. As long as you have these four cards, you can say you have the dead man’s hand. The fifth card from Bill Hickok’s hand remains unknown.
Is the dead man’s hand unlucky?
Some superstitious players see the dead man’s hand as unlucky since Bill Hickok was killed right after getting it. However, if you win with two pairs (aces and eights), it’s no longer unlucky! Like many things in poker, luck depends on the cards you draw.
