deadman's hand

from www.wordsmith.org


deadman's hand noun: In a game of poker, a hand containing two aces and two eights.



After Wild Bill Hickok (right), nickname of James Butler Hickok (1837-1876). Hickock was a legendary figure in the American Wild West who worked variously as an army scout, lawman, and professional gambler. He was shot dead while playing poker, holding a hand that had two aces and two eights.



"Other [coffins] have been customized for fishermen, golfers, truck drivers (complete with an air horn from an 18-wheeler), and gamblers' coffins, which featured the traditional deadman's hand of aces 'n' eights."
-- C. Richard Cotton; Artist Finds Creative Niche by Painting Caskets; Associated Press; Feb 14, 1997.