Dead Man's Hand

The Dead Man's hand is something of a legend among poker historians, students and aficionados. According to the legend, Wild Bill Hickock was shot to death during a poker game in Deadwood, South Dakota while holding what is now called the Dead Man's Hand. The Dead Man's Hand consists of the ace of spades, the ace of clubs, the 8 of spades and the 8 of clubs. The last card in the Dead Man's hand is subject to some debate. Depending on your source, you may find that the fifth card in the Dead Man's is either the 5 of diamonds, the 9 of diamonds, the queen of clubs, or the king of spades.

While poker culture doesn't dictate what a player should do if they are dealt the Dead Man's Hand, it should be noted that many artists, filmmakers, and songwriters use the Dead Man's Hand to indicate death or struggle. For example, in the 1939 John Wayne film Stagecoach , a doomed character held the Dead Man's Hand, with the ace of diamond replacing one of the black aces and the queen of hearts as the fifth card. The hand is also featured in another John Wayne movie, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962).

Bob Dylan even used the Dead Man's Hand to signify death in his 1962 song Rambling Gambling Willie. Bob Seger and Motorhead also reference it in their music. Even though the Dead Man's hand is a very good poker hand, many people who are dealt it throw it away for superstitious reasons.

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