On August 2. 1876 Wild Bill entered Nuttall & Mann's Saloon. He found Charlie Rich sitting in his preferred seat. After some hesitation, Wild Bill joined the game, reluctantly seating himself with his back to the door and the bar. A fatal mistake.

Jack McCall, drinking heavily at the bar, saw Hickok enter the saloon, taking a seat at his regular table in the corner near the door.

McCall slowly walked around the corner of the saloon where Hickok was playing his game. From under his coat, McCall pulled a double-action 45 pistol, shouted "Take that!" and shot Wild Bill Hickok in the back of the head, killing him instantly.

Hickok had been holding a pair of eights, and a pair of Aces, which has ever since been known as the "Dead Man's Hand".