Dead Mans Hand

The "Dead Mans Hand" as it is known consists of a pair of aces and a pair of eights! Its was the hand that Wild Bill Hickok reportedly had when he was killed on August 2nd 1876.

Bill Hickok was one of the Wild Wests most famous poker players and after the American Civil War ended in 1867 he became professional gambler. In 1979 Hickok was put into the Poker Hall of Fame!

He used to always play with his back against the wall but on entering the Saloon 10 in Deadwood, Dakota he found his usual seat was taken so he sat with his back to the bar.

Bill Hickok was then shot in the head by Jack McCall while he was holding his pair of Aces and pair of eights and died while keeping hold of them! Jack was later hung for the murder.

Saloon 10 still exists in Deadwood and and the chair Hickok died in is on display above the entrance in a glass cabinet

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