The Gambler

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[Verse]
G C G
On a warm summer's evening on a train bound for nowhere
G G D
I met up with a gambler, we were both too tired to speak
G C G
So we took turns a-starin' out the window at the darkness
C G D7 G
'Til boredom overtook us and he began to speak.
G C G
He said, "Son, I've made a life out of readin' people's faces,
G D
Knowin' what their cards were by the way they held their eyes,
G C G
And if you don't mind me sayin', I can see you're out of aces,
C G D G
And for a taste of your whiskey I'll give you some advice."
G C G
So I handed him my bottle and he drank down my last swallow;
G D
Then he bummed a cigarette and asked me for a light,
G C G
And the night got deathly quiet, and his face lost all expression,
C G D G
' said "If you're gonna play the game, boy, ya gotta learn to play it right.
[Chorus]
G C G
You got to know when to hold 'em, Know when to fold 'em,
C G D
Know when to walk away And know when to run.
G D G C G
You never count your money When you're sittin' at the table;
C G D G
There'll be time enough for countin' When the dealin's done.
[Verse]
A D A
Every gambler knows that the secret to survivin'
E
Is knownin' what to throw away and knowin' what to keep
A E A D A
'Cause every hand's a winner, and every hand's a loser,
D A E A
And the best that you can hope for is to die in your sleep."
[Chorus]
G C G
You got to know when to hold 'em, Know when to fold 'em,
C G D
Know when to walk away And know when to run.
G D G C G
You never count your money When you're sittin' at the table;
C G D G
There'll be time enough for countin' When the dealin's done.
[Verse]
A D A
And when he finished speakin', he turned back toward the window,
E
Crushed out his cigarette and faded off to sleep,
A E A D A
And somewhere in the darkness, the gambler, he broke even,
D A E A
But in his final words I found an ace that I could keep.
[Chorus]
G C G
You got to know when to hold 'em, Know when to fold 'em,
C G D
Know when to walk away And know when to run.
G D G C G
You never count your money When you're sittin' at the table;
C G D G
There'll be time enough for countin' When the dealin's done.

The Gambler chords and lyrics

Free chords for The Gambler by Johnny Cash. Scroll the interactive sheet above or read the chord names inline below.

[Verse]
[Chorus]
[Verse]
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The Gambler Chords by Johnny Cash

Learn how to play The Gambler by Johnny Cash with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Gambler chords”, “The Gambler guitar chords”, or “Johnny Cash 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 G, C, D, D7, A, E.

Frequently asked questions about The Gambler

How do I play "The Gambler" by Johnny Cash on guitar?

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Are the chords for "The Gambler" by Johnny Cash free?

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Can I transpose "The Gambler" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "The Gambler" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "The Gambler"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "The Gambler" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "The Gambler" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "The Gambler" by Johnny Cash with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Johnny Cash below.

What key is "The Gambler" in?

The chords for "The Gambler" show the original chord names (including G, C, D, D7, A, E). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.

The Gambler Chords · Johnny Cash