The Dead Man’s Hand in Poker: The Most Infamous Hand
There are some infamous hands in the game of poker. An unsuited 2 and 7 will make your life difficult in Texas Hold’em, pocket aces put you in a strong position, and a pair of kings can leave you with a very tough decision if an ace lands on the flop.
“Dead Man’s Hand” is one of the most famous, but not just because it has a cool name.
What is Dead Man’s Hand in Poker?
The term Dead Man’s Hand refers to a poker hand that contains a pair of aces and a pair of 8s. Specifically, it references the ace and eight of spades and the ace and eight of clubs, but you’ll hear poker commenters call “aces & eights Dead Man’s Hand” with pretty much all combinations of these pairs.
The story behind the hand comes from either Five-Card Draw or Five-Card Stud but is still used across other variations of poker.
If you’ve only just learned online poker basics and are wondering what could be so deadly about two Pairs, don’t worry — you’re not missing anything. The name has nothing to do with the strength of the hand.
The Story of Wild Bill’s Dead Man’s Hand
The term “Dead Man’s Hand” in poker dates back to the late 19th century, and to an American soldier, folk hero and keen gambler named Wild Bill Hickock.
In August 1876, Wild Bill sat down for a few games of poker in a saloon in Deadwood, Dakota Territory. He took the place of a gambler named Jack McCall, who had lost heavily and was said to be very drunk. Hickock told McCall to quit and even gave him money for his breakfast, but the sore loser seemed to take issue and was insulted by the offer. (He still took the money though).
The following day, Hickock returned to the saloon and sat down, his back against the door, for a few more games. The legend goes that he wasn’t comfortable with his back to the door, but as the other players wouldn’t switch seats, he remained where he was.
Later, McCall returned to the saloon, raised a pistol and shot Wild Bill in the back of the head. At the time, Wild Bill had a pair of aces and eighths in his hand — thus the legend was born.
The group was playing either Five Card Draw or Five Card Stud, so there was a fifth card, as well, but it’s not known what this card was.
McCall later said that the murder was retribution for Wild Bill killing his brother. His brother had been murdered by a lawman, but it’s not known if it was Wild Bill. McCall was arrested, charged, and sentenced to death.
It’s a pretty dark story, and that’s why some consider the hand to be cursed. But don’t worry: if you draw a Dead Man’s Hand the next time you play poker online casino games, the worst you’re likely to get is a bad beat.
Other Hand Nicknames in Poker
Dead Man’s Hand might be the hand with the most interesting story behind it, but it’s not the only hand nickname used in poker. Some of the ones commonly used in Texas Hold’em include:
- Pocket Rockets (A A): The strongest starting hand needs a powerful name. It has also been suggested that it references the “A” looking like a rocket ship.
- Hooks (J J): Named simply because the Jacks look like hooks. “Fish hooks” is also used.
- Big Slick (A K): A big starting hand that can get slippery if it doesn’t improve on the flop.
- Dolly Parton (9 5): Named after the country singer’s hit “9 to 5”
- Broadway Straight (A, K, Q, J, 10): A high straight of cards occasionally referred to as “Broadway cards”.
Is Dead Man’s Hand the Worst Poker Hand?
Wild Bill might have thought so, but it’s far from the worst poker hand. If you’re dealt aces and eights in a game of Five-Card Draw, you can bluff your way to a Full House or try to draw one by swapping your remaining card. If you draw it on the flop, turn or river in Texas Hold’em, you could be in a very strong position.
In Five-Card Draw, the worst hands are generally anything where you have to change all of your cards just to draw something useful. In Texas Hold’em, a 2 and 7 off-suit is usually cited as the worst hand, as pairs will be weak. So even if you end up with a Straight or Flush, there’s a good chance it will be beaten by a higher card.
Read our guide on poker tips and tricks for more insights and possible hand combinations. You should also make sure you’re well-versed in poker variance, as professional players use this to calculate odds and decide whether to bet, raise or fold.
Summary: Dead Man’s Hand in Poker
The history of poker dates back a couple of centuries and has been played all over the world since. It stands to reason there are a lot of stories connected to this game, whether it’s tall tales from ranchers back in the Old West or modern stories of online qualifiers winning big in the World Series of Poker.
The story of the Dead Man’s Hand in Poker is one of the best, and thanks to this nickname (and the fact it’s ubiquitous throughout all variations of the game) it means modern players will always be reminded of Wild Bill, his tragic end and the hand that could have won him big money.
Common Queries
What was the fifth card in a Dead Man’s Hand?
The prevailing theory is that it was the Queen of Hearts, but no one knows for sure.
Why is it called a dead man’s hand?
It was the hand that Wild Bill Hickock was holding when he was shot and killed.
Who was Wild Bill Hickok?
A former soldier and lawman whose exploits became famous throughout the Wild West.
Why are aces and eights a Dead Man’s Hand?
They are 4 of the 5 cards held by Wild Bill when he was shot and killed at a poker game.
Common Queries
What was the fifth card in a Dead Man's Hand?
The prevailing theory is that it was the Queen of Hearts, but no one knows for sure.
Why is it called a dead man's hand?
It was the hand that Wild Bill Hickock was holding when he was shot and killed.
Who was Wild Bill Hickok?
A former soldier and lawman whose exploits became famous throughout the Wild West.
Why are aces and eights a Dead Man's Hand?
They are 4 of the 5 cards held by Wild Bill when he was shot and killed at a poker game.
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