Historically, the phrase, "Dead Man's Hand" was given to the last poker hand that
Wild Bill Hickok had been dealt when he was murdered during a game of five-card-draw. Although there is quite the controversy over what those five cards were or even if there actually were five cards when the infamous Hickok was slain, there appears to be a general mind that he was holding a pair of
8's and a pair of
Ace's. However, the most controversial aspect about
the poker hand in question, was the the number and suit of the fifth card.