The Dreaded Dead Man's Ham

You don’t need to be a poker player to have come across the phrase “Dead Man’s Hand.” References to it are scattered across popular culture says Casino.org. From books, like James Patterson’s Along Came a Spider; to movies and TV shows, as in one episode of Criminal Minds; to video games, as in an expansion to Fallout: Las Vegas; as a theme for some escape rooms; and, of course, in music. It’s such a popular phrase, with a fascinating tale behind it, that as a special homage, the folks at Vanishing Inc. Magic produced a limited edition Dead Man’s Deck targeted at collectors.

What lies behind this legend that has crossed over from the world of saloons into cinema halls, books, and music? Crucial to the telling of this is the tale of “Wild Bill” Hickok. It was his unfortunate and tragic death that led to this macabre legend, which, in turn, ended up securing an important spot in the annals of pop culture. In this piece, Biometrica’s third on the beloved all-American game, we take you back in history to understand the legend of Dead Man’s Hand… read more >