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The Gambler

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Cmajor

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Original version by Don Schlitz.  
[Intro]
C, F, C, F, C, Am, G. C, F, C, F, C, G, C.
[Verse 1]
COn a warm summer's evening, Fon a train bound for Cnowhere
FI met up with a gaCmbler, we were Amboth too tired to sGleep
CSo we took turns a-staring oFut the window at the dCarkness
FThe boredom overtook Cus aGnd he began to Cspeak
He said, "SCon, I've made my life oFut of reading people's fCaces
AmAnd knowing what the Ccards were by the Amway they held their eGyes
CSo if you don't mind my sayin', I can Fsee you're out of Caces
FFor a taste of your Cwhiskey, IG'll give you some aCdvice"
CSo I handed him my bottle and he dFrank down my last sCwallow
AmThen he bummed a cCigarette and Amasked me for a Glight
CAnd the night got deathly quiet, and his Fface lost all expreCssion
Said, "IFf you're gonna play the gaCme, boy, you gotta lGearn to play it Cright"
[Chorus]
CYou got to know when to hold 'em, Fknow when to fold 'Cem
FKnow when to wCalk away, Amknow when to Grun
You never cCount yGour mConey when you're sFittin' at the Ctable
There'll be Ftime enough for cCountin', when the dGealin's Cdone
[Verse 2]
CNow, every gambler knows, tFhe secret to survCivin'
AmIs knowing what to Cthrow away, Amknowing what to Gkeep
'Cause Cevery hand's a winner and Fevery hand's a Closer
And the Ambest you can Chope for, is to dGie in your sCleep
CSo when he'd finished speakin', Fhe turned back toward the Cwindow
AmCrushed out his cigarCette and fAmaded off to sGleep
CThen somewhere in the darkness, the gFambler he broke eCven
FBut in his final wCords, I found an aGce that I could kCeep
[Chorus]x3
CYou got to know when to hold 'em, Fknow when to fold 'Cem
FKnow when to wCalk away, Amknow when to Grun
You never cCount yGour mConey when you're sFittin' at the Ctable
There'll be Ftime enough for cCountin', when the dGealin's Cdone 

All chords in this song (4)

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The Gambler

by Don Schlitz

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Original version by Don Schlitz.

[Intro]

C F C F C Am G C F C F C G C

, , , , , , . , , , , , , .

[Verse 1]

C F C

On a warm summer's evening, on a train bound for nowhere

F C Am G

I met up with a gambler, we were both too tired to sleep

C F C

So we took turns a-staring out the window at the darkness

F C G C

The boredom overtook us and he began to speak

C F C

He said, "Son, I've made my life out of reading people's faces

Am C Am G

And knowing what the cards were by the way they held their eyes

C F C

So if you don't mind my sayin', I can see you're out of aces

F C G C

For a taste of your whiskey, I'll give you some advice"

C F C

So I handed him my bottle and he drank down my last swallow

Am C Am G

Then he bummed a cigarette and asked me for a light

C F C

And the night got deathly quiet, and his face lost all expression

F C G C

Said, "If you're gonna play the game, boy, you gotta learn to play it right"

[Chorus]

C F C

You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em

F C Am G

Know when to walk away, know when to run

C G C F C

You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table

F C G C

There'll be time enough for countin', when the dealin's done

[Verse 2]

C F C

Now, every gambler knows, the secret to survivin'

Am C Am G

Is knowing what to throw away, knowing what to keep

C F C

'Cause every hand's a winner and every hand's a loser

Am C G C

And the best you can hope for, is to die in your sleep

C F C

So when he'd finished speakin', he turned back toward the window

Am C Am G

Crushed out his cigarette and faded off to sleep

C F C

Then somewhere in the darkness, the gambler he broke even

F C G C

But in his final words, I found an ace that I could keep

[Chorus]x3

C F C

You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em

F C Am G

Know when to walk away, know when to run

C G C F C

You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table

F C G C

There'll be time enough for countin', when the dealin's done

About The Gambler Chords by Don Schlitz

Learn how to play The Gambler by Don Schlitz with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Gambler chords”, “The Gambler guitar chords”, or “Don Schlitz The Gambler chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy The Gambler chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Gambler lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, F, Am, G.

FAQ — The Gambler by Don Schlitz

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What key is "The Gambler" in?

The chords for "The Gambler" show the original chord names (including C, F, Am, G). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.