dead man's hand

Etymology
The aces and eights sense is from a legend that Wild Bill Hickok was holding such cards at the time he was killed in 1876.

Noun

 * 1)  A pair of aces and a pair of eights (especially, the black aces and eights), in a player's hand.
 * 2)  An ace and an eight as a starting hand in Texas hold 'em
 * 3)  Other various hands, among them a full house of three jacks and two tens.
 * 1)  Other various hands, among them a full house of three jacks and two tens.

Synonyms

 * / eights and aces