Poker Glossary
Poker glossary

Dead Hand

A dead hand is a hand not eligible to win—removed from play.

Full explanation

A dead hand is a hand not eligible to win—removed from play.

Explanation. When a hand is declared “dead,” it’s no longer in contention, such as a player exposing their cards early or failing to act in turn. The chips may return or go into the pot depending on circumstances. The name emphasizes that the hand carries no value and cannot win. It preserves order and fairness at the table.

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