 Luke refuses to observe the established pecking order among the prisoners and quickly runs afoul of the prisoners ' leader , Dragline ( George Kennedy ) . When the pair have a boxing match , the prisoners and guards watch with interest . Although Luke is severely outmatched by his larger opponent , he refuses to acquiesce . Eventually , Dragline refuses to continue the fight . Luke 's tenacity earns the prisoners ' respect . Later , Luke wins a poker game by bluffing with a hand worth nothing . Luke comments that " sometimes , nothing can be a real cool hand , " prompting Dragline to nickname him " Cool Hand Luke " . 
