Dead Man’s Hand in Poker Explained

What’s the Dead Man’s Hand?

The dead man’s hand is a hand in poker with four specific cards. It’s considered an unlucky two-pair poker hand. Legend has it that this was the hand held by Wild Bill Hickok when he was shot dead. While it’s unlikely that it was the cards’ fault, no one wants to see themselves holding these four black cards.

The hand is made up of a pair of black aces and a pair of black eights. The combination is now seen as an omen and the name has stuck. Perhaps finding out more about the man holding the cards will give us more insight.

Who’s Wild Bill Hickok?

There’s much more to Wild Bill Hickok besides being the holder of the dead man’s hand. He was a famous soldier and lawman that lived in different parts of the US but met his end in Deadwood, South Dakota. It was in the saloon there that he liked to spend time at the poker tables. While his nickname was Wild Bill, his full name was actually James Butler Hickok.

The folk hero was a frontiersman that became the stuff of legends due to his reputation for courage, riding ability, and shooting skills. There are tales of fighting off a bear, quick draw shootouts, and many more dangerous adventures.

His shooting wasn’t the only area where he was known for being sharp. His poker skills were much talked about, and they still are today. He’s in the Poker Hall of Fame, and for good reason, apart from the fact that he already had the perfect nickname.

He was known for his icy stare that didn’t reveal a thing. It was useful in sharpshooting and certainly would have made an excellent poker face. He’d begun practicing as a kid against his siblings. Later, when he was on the road, he honed his card skills in every saloon he visited and usually won.

The Sensationalized Death of Wild Bill Hickok and the Dead Man’s Hand

Of course, Wild Bill Hickok’s luck eventually ran out, which is where the dead man’s hand meaning came from. Generally, poker isn’t a deadly game, but back in those days, tempers were short and guns were easily drawn. Wild Bill had been in several altercations, including one where he lost his watch.

That man later wound up dead, and Wild Bill was put on trial. He wasn’t found guilty, but the rumors remained. With so many daring exploits and several fights left in his wake as he moved across the US, it wasn’t long before the past caught up with him.

It’s said that when Hickok sat in the saloon playing poker, he always wanted to have his back against a wall. He would change seats just to get that spot, as he felt sure someone would shoot him in the back. One fateful day in 1876, Wild Bill was left with the only seat available, leaving his back exposed.

A man named Jack McCall, who was out for revenge due to an incident with his brother, walked into the saloon and shot Wild Bill in the back of the head. He died holding his poker hand, a pair of aces and eights.

What is the Fifth Card in a Dead Man’s Hand?

There’s been much talk of the pair of black aces and a pair of black eights in his hand. However, when it comes to the dead man’s hand in poker, there’s a fifth card. Five-card stud poker was the popular variant of the time and that’s what Wild Bill Hickok was playing. The two-pair hand was what mattered, but he would have been holding a fifth card.

Some say that the dead man hand 5th card had already been discarded by Hickok. It’s also said that the draw was interrupted by the gunshot, which meant that Wild Bill never received his fifth card.

Historical data displays a fifth card to the hand. However, the only thing they agree on is that it was a diamond. Whether it was the jack, nine, or five is still a mystery. There’s no way of knowing for sure, but the two pairs of black cards are ominous enough for any poker player.

Is a Dead Man’s Hand Any Good in Poker?

Moving past the legend and whether you feel the hand means bad luck, will it get you the pot? Of course, that depends on what your opponents have. It’s pretty unlikely that you’ll end up with two black aces and eights and even less likely that you’ll win with it.

Superstition aside, you’re looking at two pairs. It’s not the worst hand in poker, but you could definitely have a stronger combination of cards. Apart from the ghoulish thrill of holding those cards together, it’s unlikely that any poker player would want to be dealt and play those cards.

The Dead Man’s Hand and Popular Culture

Like Wild Bill Hickok, who became a legend, the hand has taken on its own life and story. One of the most popular places you’ll see it now is as a tattoo or logo. Some include the four cards, while others add the smoking gun as a nod to Wild Bill Hickok.

It’s not just immortalized in ink, though. Artists, writers, and movie and TV producers have been inspired by the dead man’s hand. Even programs that have nothing to do with poker might feature a scene where the characters are playing, and they’re holding aces and eights.

For example, in the X-Files, Scully has a full house made up of aces and eights, including the ace of hearts. Several bands and musicians, including Motorhead, Bob Dylan and Bring Me the Horizon, have referenced the poker hand.

Blue Oyster Cult sings that aces and eights are the fate that you drew. The songs and the concept have also been used in gaming. Need For Speed: Carbon, Fallout: New Vegas, The Walking Dead: A New Frontier, and Hearthstone all show or get players to collect this famous hand of cards.

Keep Your Back Against the Wall

While building a pile of chips might be the focus of poker, the game doesn’t forget its legends. You’re unlikely to take the pot with the dead man’s hand. At least you can give a nod to a sharpshooter and skilled card player if you ever see those aces and eights.