dead hand
Plural
dead hands
1
the oppressive influence of past events or decisions
Synonyms:
2
real property held inalienably (as by an ecclesiastical corporation)
Synonyms:
3
a hand of cards in certain card games that is no longer eligible to participate in the game due to specific conditions or penalties
A dead hand in card games refers to a hand of cards that is no longer in play, typically because the player holding it is disqualified, forfeited their turn, or is unable to participate due to certain game rules. In some games, a dead hand may occur if a player has not followed the rules correctly, such as failing to make a required bet or not drawing cards when they should. A dead hand may also be one where the player has no chance of winning or cannot make a valid move, effectively eliminating their participation from that round.