Dead Man at the Table

The ‘ Dead Man’s Hand’ has taken on a whole new meaning in Puerto Rico, with reports of a 31-year old who loved the game being embalmed and placed in his favourite seat at his home-game after dying.

The bizarre ritual is apparently becoming more common-place on the Caribbean island, although the deceased, Henry Rosario Martinez is the first to be honoured this way in his home town Barceloneta in the northern region.

Martinez’ body was even dealt cards – placed in his hands – and also chips, as friends paid tribute to the young man. The deceased also reportedly enjoyed playing slots, but his friends decided that a final poker home-game was the most fitting farewell to their buddy, and he appeared decked out in New York Yankees gear for his last hand.

The report from Univision.com claims that drugs were to blame for his untimely departure, although other reports have stated that heart problems were the real cause of death. Others still blame a ‘lethal combination of alcohol and prescription drugs’.

The Dead Man’s Hand, in modern poker parlance, refers to the ‘ Aces and Eights’ that western legend Wild Bill Hickok was apparently holding when he was shot in the back of the head by Jack McCall in in Nuttal & Mann's Saloon at Deadwood, Dakota Territory. However, the term was in use in various combinations of cards before Hickok's infamous demise was written about.

Surprisingly, given the stress of poker, there have been remarkably few stories of players actually dying AT the actual poker table – rather than the deceased being returned there as in Martinez’ unfortunate recent case.

There have been a few ‘close calls’ though, with the well-known player Paul “Eskimo” Clark - three-time WSOP bracelet winner and one of the best poker players in the 1990s - collapsing ‘multiple times’ at the 2007 WSOP. He refused to give up the ghost, however, and eventually finished 4th.

According to cardschat.com: