# Dead Man's Hand

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-mans-hand/106>\
**Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\
**Created:** [June 21, 1999, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-mans-hand/106 "1999-06-21T18:23:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [June 21, 1999, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-mans-hand/106/1 "1999-06-21T18:23:00Z")

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OK, so we all know that Wild Bill Hickock was holding “aces and eights” when he was shot dead. So, what was the 5th card?

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [June 21, 1999, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-mans-hand/106/2 "1999-06-21T19:00:00Z")

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Not pairs-- a full house, “aces over eights.” Or, three aces, two eights. That makes five.

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [June 21, 1999, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-mans-hand/106/3 "1999-06-21T20:31:00Z")

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Naw a dead man’s hand is aces and eights. I think the fifth card was a queen, but don’t make me swear to it

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [June 21, 1999, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-mans-hand/106/4 "1999-06-21T21:56:00Z")

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According to the Poker Frequently asked questions web page, the identity of the fifth card is not known. But, listed in order of credibility, 4 possibilities were given:

1. Five of Diamonds
2. Nine of Diamonds
3. Queen of Clubs
4. King of Spades

And by the way, the other cards are indeed a pair of black aces and eights (From history web page). The Poker FAQ page can be found at [http://www.conjelco.com/faq/poker.html](http://www.conjelco.com/faq/poker.html)

The history page is at  
[http://www.thehistorynet.com/HistoricTraveler/articles/1196\_side.htm](http://www.thehistorynet.com/HistoricTraveler/articles/1196_side.htm)

And just for good measure, my mom says that the fifth card is the Knave of Spades. Go figure.

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Jane Fairfax