James Butler Hickok, more commonly known as Wild Bill, was one of the original inductees to the Poker Hall of Fame 1979. What makes this achievement stand out more than some of his compatriots was that Hickok had never heard of, nevermind entered, the World Series of Poker, having been dead for more than 100 years by the time the hall of fame was established. 
Born in 1837, Hickok grew up to become a legendary figure in the Old West. He originally moved to the west as a stage coach driver and became a lawman in Kansas and Nebraska, something he earned a high reputation as.
He fought in the Union Army in the Civil War and gained notoriety as a top scout and gunfighter. It is reported that for a short while, Hickok served in the 7th Calvary under General Custer. As a child he learned to shoot as he had to protect his father’s farm from anti-abolitionists. During the latter years of slavery, Hickok was one of the earliest champions for equal rights for blacks.
In 1968, Hickok was named sheriff of Hays City, Kansas. Hickok used violence to try to keep the town’s tough population under control but after shooting two men in late 1869 the citizens felt unsafe and he was replaced by his deputy.

Hickok earned a lot of money in his lifetime through poker and is seen by many as the first professional player; however, it was his interest in poker that led to his death in August 1876.

On the second day of that month, Hickok was playing in Deadwood, in the Dakota Territory. This was a regular haunt for Hickok and he always sat in a corner to ensure no one could sneak up on him from behind. However, on this visit all those seats were taken and he eventually settled for a seat facing one door but with his back to another. It was from that door that Jack McCall shot Hickok in the back of his head.

Legend has it that when he was shot, Hickok was holding two pairs – of aces and eights. This hand is now known as the dead man’s hand. It generally is believed that the cards in Hickok’s possession were all black but this has been queried by a biographer. Hickok’s fifth card, or if he even had a fifth card, is unknown although there are many suggestions as to what it was.

The reasons behind Hickok’s murder are unknown. Some believe McCall had been paid to do the deed, others presume it was McCall’s revenge after Hickok had cleared him out in a game of poker, and then rather cheekily offered to let him keep enough money to pay for his breakfast.

At the resulting trial, McCall told the jury of miners and local businessmen that he was avenging the death of his brother which he claims was at the hands of Hickok. McCall was acquitted of the murder. It was later established that he never had a brother.

However, justice eventually prevailed. After bragging about the deed, McCall was again arrested and put through another trial. This time he was found guilty and hanged.

Written by Ina Rkh
Last update: 21/04/2015