dead man's hand

noun3

1. •
   A pair of aces and a pair of eights (especially, the black aces and eights), in a player's hand.

   • "A dead man's hand or queens on the roof at least," suggested Southack. "They say two aces and two eights can never be beat." — 1907
2. •
   An ace and an eight as a starting hand in Texas hold 'em
3. •
   (no longer used) Other various hands, among them a full house of three jacks and two tens.

   • When playing poker, should you hold a jack full on red sevens, it means death, and is called "a dead man's hand". — 1903