Dead Man's Hand (AA88) and the Dead Hand in Poker: History and Rules
What is the 'Dead Man's Hand' (AA88)? The story of Wild Bill Hickok, who perished holding this hand. We also explore the meaning behind the 'Dead Hand' and how to avoid the trap of zero outs.
The modern version of poker was invented in the early 19th century. Over two hundred years, the card game developed its own language. Gutshot, chip leader, outs, bubble, tilt — just a small part of the poker vocabulary. Some terms have interesting stories behind them. Let's discuss what the 'dead man's hand' is.
What is the dead man's hand?
In poker, the dead man's hand refers to the combination AA88. James Butler Hickok died with these two pairs in his hand.
There is no separate name for two pairs of aces and eights of the red suits.
In history, this American Civil War hero was known as 'Wild Bill'. After the victory of the
FAQ
What is the Dead Man's Hand?
The Dead Man's Hand refers to the poker hand combination of two pairs: AA88. It exclusively includes spades and clubs. This hand is associated with the death of James Butler Hickok, also known as 'Wild Bill.' The famous American gunslinger was killed while holding AA88 at the poker table.
What is a dead hand?
If a poker player is in a hand with zero chances of improvement, it is called a dead hand. For example, having JJ against AA on a flop of AAJ results in zero outs. Often, the holder of a dead hand is unaware that they have no chance of catching a better combination.