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Five Card Charlie
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Some things cannot be fully explained when it comes to poker.
Over the years many have debated the origins of this popular sport. Some game
historians believe that poker, while not its present day form, began in France.
Other historians have found clues that could show its birth was in Germany.
While this bit of poker history can be debated, at least some popular and
well-known phrases have their point of origin.
Popular Phrases
For instance, the dead mans hand. Wild Bill Hickok would not be thrilled to
know that his being shot to death during a poker game would give a phrase such
longevity. Say dead mans hand and people know that you have at least two pair,
black aces and black eights.
Five Card Charlie
The “know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em” may not be rich in history,
but people sure know when to walk away and when to run. And maybe as your
walking the casino floor, you hear someone yell Five Card Charlie. This may
sound somewhat familiar. It is a phrase from the blackjack table.
Simply put, when the fifth card dealt to a blackjack player totals 21 or less
the player automatically wins. No matter what the dealer’s hand totals. Its
explanation is short, compared to the searches by many to find the origins of
this phrase. This one seems to just exist.
Who is Charlie?
Who’s Charlie? How did he get five cards? Why does he only show up in
blackjack? Game historians and long time poker professionals all agree that
Five Card Charlie’s elusive past may never be found. However, its more likely
that a player will get a Five Card Charlie than to find out where the famed
three words came from.
--< Watchdog
>--
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