The Gambler
View chords used in this chart
Tuning D# G# C# F# A# d#
Verse
E A E
On a warm summer's evenin' on a train bound for nowhere,
E B7
I met up with the gambler; we were both too tired to sleep.
E A E
So we took turns a starin' out the window at the darkness
B7 E
'til boredom overtook us, and he began to speak.
verse 2
E A E
He said, "Son, I've made a life out of readin' people's faces,
B7
and knowin' what their cards were by the way they held their eyes.
E A E
And if you don't mind my sayin', I can see you're out of aces.
A E B7 E
For a taste of your whiskey I'll give you some advice."
verse 3
E A E
So I handed him my bottle and he drank down my last swallow.
B7
Then he bummed a cigarette, and asked me for a light.
E A E
And the night got deathly quiet, and his face lost all expression.
A E B7 E
Said, "If you're gonna play the game, boy, ya gotta learn to play it right.
[Refrão] E A E
You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em,
A E B7
know when to walk away and know when to run.
E A E A E
You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table.
A E B7 E
There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done.
verse 4 (Key change)
F Bb F
Ev'ry gambler knows that the secret to survivin'
C7
is knowin' what to throw away and knowing what to keep.
F Bb F
'Cause ev'ry hand's a winner and ev'ry hand's a loser,
Bb F C7 F
and the best that you can hope for is to die in your sleep."
Verse 5
F Bb F
And when he'd finished speakin', he turned back towards the window,
C7
crushed out his cigarette and faded off to sleep.
F Bb F
And somewhere in the darkness the gambler, he broke even.
Bb F C7 F
But in his final words I found an ace that I could keep.
[Refrão] F Bb F
You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em,
Bb F C7
know when to walk away and know when to run.
F Bb F Bb F
You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table.
Bb F C7 F
There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done.
How to play The Gambler
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is D#. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.