For hundreds of years, playing cards have been a part of our culture. We can expect many great stories about them. The legend of the Dead Man’s Hand is one of the most well-known stories.
Gamblers are very superstitious people and believe in lucky dice and lucky cards. A lot of hands of playing cards have even special names.
Perhaps none more famous than the Dead Man’s Hand, a pair of black aces and black eights.
Wild Bill Hickok
First, let’s introduce you to Wild Bill Hickok (1837-1876). Although his real name was James Butler Hickok (although it sounds a lot more impressive when you’re a famous Wild West gunman), “Wild Bill” was the right choice.
However, Wild Bill was born from his wild reputation and a fierce mustache.
Wild Bill was a well-known veteran of the Civil War and a respected gunfighter and lawman in the American West. His involvement in numerous shoot-outs, his iron hand that ruled the lawlessness of his time, and his skills as a professional gambler earned him respect. His many gunfights and conquests were detailed in newspapers.
His exploits were often sensationalized and mixed fiction with facts. We won’t know how many Wild Bill killed. While some journalists claimed that it was more than 100, a respected biographer says that the truth is closer at half a dozen.
His contemporaries often exaggerated the numbers, exploits, and stories. Wild Bill appears to have contributed some wild reports about his achievements to help his legend grow.
The End of Wild Bill
Let’s go back to 1876:
Wild Bill boarded
Wild Bill is a skilled player and makes a lot of money, just like he has done many times throughout his life.
His losses are so great that he has to rely upon Wild Bill’s generosity to buy his breakfast. McCall may have taken this gesture as a serious insult, as the next day would prove.
Wild Bill returns to the saloon to play more poker on August 2, 1876. Our hero requests a switch with another player but is unsuccessful in his attempts to do so. His preference is to have his back to the wall and have a full view of both the saloon’s entrance and the poker tables.
Everyone is taken aback when McCall enters the saloon and yells, “Damn you! Take that!” and shoots him point-blank. Wild Bill is instantly killed, and he falls from his chair, his cards still in his hand: A pair of black
McCall was initially released on bail, but he was later
The poker game was a five-card Stud. Although it’s not certain what the fifth card was, a witness at the scene identified the four other cards as black Aces or Eights. The legend of the Dead Man’s Hand was born.
The Dead Man’s Hand
Wild Bill had
The story was already becoming a legend by then, and the publication of this story helped to spread it. Little was known about the story before the 1920s.
We are nearly 150 years away from the original event, and it is unlikely that we will ever discover the truth.
Wild Bill’s hand at the time of his death is a historical fact, but it’s not surprising that his story has become a legend. A hand with a pair of black eights
There are
The Dead Man’s Deck
Vanishing Inc Magic has created a special deck to pay tribute to this story. It is a limited-edition deck that is geared toward collectors and commemorates Wild Bill’s tragic death. The tuck box is plain and simple with muted black borders and yellowed borders.
This makes it look like an authentic relic from the past.
You can expect a surprise when you take
To complete the dramatic effect, a round metal musket ball is placed inside the hole. The cards appear worn and weathered, with burn marks surrounding the bullet holes on each side.
This deck is not for the fainthearted, as there are visible bloodstains on the black Aces and Eights, which made up the legendary Dead Man’s Hand.
You can use the card backs as regular decks. These cards have a one-way design. Closer inspection will reveal details that relate to Wild Bill’s story, such as the references to his initials JBH
The face cards are designed in a vintage style. The court cards’ artwork follows a more traditional French look than the classic Bicycle look we are used to. There are also indices at all four corners.
This deck is unique and fun. It stands out among other decks in my collection because of its novelty value and the great story behind it. It could be used for a Wild West-themed card trick and would appeal to magicians who do gambling routines.
The “Wild Bill Hickock’s Hand” is a Henry Christ routine that uses Dead Man’s Hand as its background and plot. You could use it for a game or any other card game. It makes a great conversation piece or collector’s item.
Conclusion
We hope you’ve enjoyed this fun and interesting legend about the Dead Man’s Hand. Just remember to keep your back to the wall!