What connects card games to legendary Wild West gunslinger Bill Hickok?
The answer is the infamous dead man’s hand, which the folk hero was said to be holding when gunned down at the card table.
The legend of the dead man’s hand was born – a phrase still used to this day to describe the specific combination of cards that would, in the ultimate sense, prove to be his downfall.
What is the Dead Man’s Hand?
The dead man’s hand is a five-card combination that would prove to be Wild Bill Hickok’s last: two aces, two eights and a fifth card that went unreported.
The aces and the eights were spades and clubs, so Hickock had a completely black hand – so that’s the exact combination that makes up for the dead man’s hand, which you will notice it referred to in poker tournaments and, on rare occasions when the combo is landed, at the blackjack table.
It’s thought that Hickok was playing either five-card stud or five-card draw – poker variants where the players are given five hole cards, hence the aces and eights combination. Sat in the Nuttal & Man’s Saloon in Deadwood, Hickok was contemplating his next move when he was shot in the back of the head by Jack McCall, a hunter who had a history of animosity with the cowboy.
According to folklore, McCall had played in an earlier game at the venue which included Hickok. It’s thought that McCall lost heavily and ran out of money – he was asked to leave, but not before Hickok offered to buy him breakfast.
The legend goes that McCall felt insulted by the offer and returned to the saloon a day later. Inebriated, he found Hickok playing another poker game and proceeded to shoot him in the back of the head. He died instantly, while McCall managed to fall off his horse while fleeing – he was executed by hanging six months after that fateful day.
Curiously, there have been other instances where the dead man’s hand has been identified – correctly or otherwise. Some believe that the original set-up was jacks and sevens, whereas others have reported it as jacks and eights.
But the story involving ‘Wild Bill’ is much more captivating and is therefore the one that has stuck.
How to Play the Dead Man’s Hand in Poker
Although the dead man’s hand has taken on a historical significance thanks to its colourful back story, the aces and eights combination is not – for the most part – what you want to be dealt.
Thanks to the popularity of Texas Hold’em poker, the dead man’s hand is now commonly considered to be the hole cards of A-8 of any suit. Depending on the conditions of your table, it could be a useful hand – but generally speaking this is a combination best avoided.
If you are up against a handful of players, A-8 is unlikely to be a winning combo – you might want to see the flop, but it could prove a costly move if you are weak-handed compared to your opposition. Even if you are heads up, are you confident that your eight will be a winning kicker if your rival has an ace too?
If a player raises in front of you, you would need the chutzpah of Jack McCall himself to call. But if you are short stacked or deep into the final table, A-8 can be a hand that you go all-in with and, hopefully, have just about enough to win with.
Receiving the dead man’s hand may raise a smile when you get it, but it’s not likely to bring you many financial rewards.
How to Play the Dead Man’s Hand in Blackjack
The dead man’s hand in blackjack – again, let’s call it A-8 rather than the five-card hand that Hickok was dealt back in the day – offers opportunities and threats.
This is a soft hand that can score 9 or 19 as you see fit. The decision will largely be dictated by the dealer’s upturned card, although in most cases you will stand with A-8 – the 19 is considered a stronger position than playing on with nine.
It’s never really the percentage play to take on the dealer when you have A-8. The only possible situation is if the dealer’s upturned card is an ace, at which point hitting and hoping you can compile a five card trick – as opposed to standing on 19 and hoping for the best – hands you a chance of turning a weak hand into a strong one.