deal a/the hand

A noun or pronoun can be used between "deal" and "a/the hand."

1. Literally, to distribute a hand of cards to someone at random. If you're so good at shuffling cards, you deal the hand then! Deal me a hand while I get some more chips. Hey, if you're unhappy with your cards, don't blame me—Billy dealt the hand!

2. By extension, to accord someone their fortune or fate in life at random. Look, life's going to deal you a hand, good or bad, and it's up to you to make of it what you will. Sometimes I get down about the accident, but then I remember that if I hadn't been dealt this hand, I would never have met the love of my life in intensive care. He really is a smart guy, but he was dealt a bad hand growing up in a place where crime was the only way out of poverty.