Name that Poker Hand
Poker hands often have descriptive names associated with them. Some names are for obvious reasons, as in pocket Queens being called “Ladies.” Other poker hands are associated with famous people or unusual events. And there are cards whose visual graphic suggests an image, such as referring to pocket Jacks as “Hooks” because of the J in the corner.
Here are some other slang names that have been attached to poker hands: Pocket Rockets - two aces that can take off for a win. Also called “Bullets.” Big Slick - an Ace and King, one of the best starter hands Cowboys - pocket Kings Ajax - an ace and a jack in the hole. Broadway - a straight that goes from ten through Ace. Dead Man’s Hand - an ace and eight in the hole. Named after the American Frontier character “Wild Bill Hickok” who was shot in the back and killed while holding an ace and eight. Jesse James - a four and five, named after this Wild West gunslinger’s Colt 45 weapon. Ducks - pocket twos. Doyle Brunson - named after “The Godfather of Poker” and the author of Super/System, who won the World Series of Poker twice with this hand. Siegfried and Roy - pocket Queens that give a nod to the colorful Las Vegas performers. Wheel - a straight from ace to five. Called a “Steel Wheel” when the cards are suited for the straight flush. A Royal - the best possible hand in poker, the straight flush from 10 to the Ace. Wired - any two paired cards in the hole. Two wired cards can make a set if a third comes out. Sailboats - pocket fours because the protruding angle of the number 4 resembles a sail. Crabs - pocket threes Snowmen - pocket eights A Ninja - any hand that seems unlikely to win, like J 2 unsuited, but comes out of nowhere to win the pot.
