Country

The Gambler Chords

Kenny Rogers Beginner Key of C 4 Chords 4 min read Updated Jul 2026

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Ftap to play

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Amtap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

C · F · G · Am

The Gambler Chords – Guitar

Kenny Rogers’ iconic country storytelling classic about life advice from a stranger. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.

Country Ballad (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep the strum gentle and steady. This is a storytelling song, so let the words drive it. Slight palm muting adds a nice country feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C

On a warm summer’s evenin’

F C

On a train bound for nowhere

I met up with the gambler

F G

We were both too tired to sleep

C

So we took turns a-starin’

F C

Out the window at the darkness

Am

‘Til boredom overtook us

G C

And he began to speak

Verse 2

C

He said, “Son, I’ve made a life

F C

Out of readin’ people’s faces

And knowin’ what their cards were

F G

By the way they held their eyes

C

So if you don’t mind my sayin’

F C

I can see you’re out of aces

Am

For a taste of your whiskey

G C

I’ll give you some advice”

Verse 3

C

So I handed him my bottle

F C

And he drank down my last swallow

Then he bummed a cigarette

F G

And asked me for a light

C

And the night got deathly quiet

F C

And his face lost all expression

Am G

Said, “If you’re gonna play the game, boy

C

Ya gotta learn to play it right”

Chorus

C

You got to know when to hold ’em

F C

Know when to fold ’em

F C

Know when to walk away

G

And know when to run

C F

You never count your money

C

When you’re sittin’ at the table

Am G

There’ll be time enough for countin’

F G C

When the dealin’s done

Verse 4

C

Now every gambler knows that the

F C

Secret to survivin’

Is knowin’ what to throw away

F G

And knowing what to keep

C

’Cause every hand’s a winner

F C

And every hand’s a loser

Am

And the best that you can hope for is to

G C

Die in your sleep”

Chorus

C

You got to know when to hold ’em

F C

Know when to fold ’em

F C

Know when to walk away

G

And know when to run

C F

You never count your money

C

When you’re sittin’ at the table

Am G

There’ll be time enough for countin’

F G C

When the dealin’s done

Verse 5

C

And when he’d finished speakin’

F C

He turned back towards the window

Crushed out his cigarette

F G

And faded off to sleep

C

And somewhere in the darkness

F C

The gambler, he broke even

Am

But in his final words I found

G C

An ace that I could keep

Chorus

C

You got to know when to hold ’em

F C

Know when to fold ’em

F C

Know when to walk away

G

And know when to run

C F

You never count your money

C

When you’re sittin’ at the table

Am G

There’ll be time enough for countin’

F G C

When the dealin’s done

Practice tip: This is an excellent beginner song with just C, F, G, and Am. Focus on telling the story — the chord changes are simple enough that you can concentrate on your singing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "The Gambler"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: C, F, G and Am.

Is "The Gambler" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "The Gambler" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "The Gambler"?

It was written by Don Schlitz, and released in 1978.

Ctap to play

Ftap to play

Gtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

C · F · G · Am

The Gambler Chords – Ukulele

Kenny Rogers’ iconic country storytelling classic about life advice from a stranger. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.

Country Ballad (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep the strum gentle and steady. This is a storytelling song, so let the words drive it. Slight palm muting adds a nice country feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C

On a warm summer’s evenin’

F C

On a train bound for nowhere

I met up with the gambler

F G

We were both too tired to sleep

C

So we took turns a-starin’

F C

Out the window at the darkness

Am

‘Til boredom overtook us

G C

And he began to speak

Verse 2

C

He said, “Son, I’ve made a life

F C

Out of readin’ people’s faces

And knowin’ what their cards were

F G

By the way they held their eyes

C

So if you don’t mind my sayin’

F C

I can see you’re out of aces

Am

For a taste of your whiskey

G C

I’ll give you some advice”

Verse 3

C

So I handed him my bottle

F C

And he drank down my last swallow

Then he bummed a cigarette

F G

And asked me for a light

C

And the night got deathly quiet

F C

And his face lost all expression

Am G

Said, “If you’re gonna play the game, boy

C

Ya gotta learn to play it right”

Chorus

C

You got to know when to hold ’em

F C

Know when to fold ’em

F C

Know when to walk away

G

And know when to run

C F

You never count your money

C

When you’re sittin’ at the table

Am G

There’ll be time enough for countin’

F G C

When the dealin’s done

Verse 4

C

Now every gambler knows that the

F C

Secret to survivin’

Is knowin’ what to throw away

F G

And knowing what to keep

C

’Cause every hand’s a winner

F C

And every hand’s a loser

Am

And the best that you can hope for is to

G C

Die in your sleep”

Chorus

C

You got to know when to hold ’em

F C

Know when to fold ’em

F C

Know when to walk away

G

And know when to run

C F

You never count your money

C

When you’re sittin’ at the table

Am G

There’ll be time enough for countin’

F G C

When the dealin’s done

Verse 5

C

And when he’d finished speakin’

F C

He turned back towards the window

Crushed out his cigarette

F G

And faded off to sleep

C

And somewhere in the darkness

F C

The gambler, he broke even

Am

But in his final words I found

G C

An ace that I could keep

Chorus

C

You got to know when to hold ’em

F C

Know when to fold ’em

F C

Know when to walk away

G

And know when to run

C F

You never count your money

C

When you’re sittin’ at the table

Am G

There’ll be time enough for countin’

F G C

When the dealin’s done

Practice tip: This is an excellent beginner song with just C, F, G, and Am. Focus on telling the story — the chord changes are simple enough that you can concentrate on your singing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "The Gambler"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: C, F, G and Am.

Is "The Gambler" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "The Gambler" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "The Gambler"?

It was written by Don Schlitz, and released in 1978.

Ctap to play

Ftap to play

Gtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

C · F · G · Am

The Gambler Chords – Piano

Kenny Rogers’ iconic country storytelling classic about life advice from a stranger. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.

Country Ballad (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep the strum gentle and steady. This is a storytelling song, so let the words drive it. Slight palm muting adds a nice country feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C

On a warm summer’s evenin’

F C

On a train bound for nowhere

I met up with the gambler

F G

We were both too tired to sleep

C

So we took turns a-starin’

F C

Out the window at the darkness

Am

‘Til boredom overtook us

G C

And he began to speak

Verse 2

C

He said, “Son, I’ve made a life

F C

Out of readin’ people’s faces

And knowin’ what their cards were

F G

By the way they held their eyes

C

So if you don’t mind my sayin’

F C

I can see you’re out of aces

Am

For a taste of your whiskey

G C

I’ll give you some advice”

Verse 3

C

So I handed him my bottle

F C

And he drank down my last swallow

Then he bummed a cigarette

F G

And asked me for a light

C

And the night got deathly quiet

F C

And his face lost all expression

Am G

Said, “If you’re gonna play the game, boy

C

Ya gotta learn to play it right”

Chorus

C

You got to know when to hold ’em

F C

Know when to fold ’em

F C

Know when to walk away

G

And know when to run

C F

You never count your money

C

When you’re sittin’ at the table

Am G

There’ll be time enough for countin’

F G C

When the dealin’s done

Verse 4

C

Now every gambler knows that the

F C

Secret to survivin’

Is knowin’ what to throw away

F G

And knowing what to keep

C

’Cause every hand’s a winner

F C

And every hand’s a loser

Am

And the best that you can hope for is to

G C

Die in your sleep”

Chorus

C

You got to know when to hold ’em

F C

Know when to fold ’em

F C

Know when to walk away

G

And know when to run

C F

You never count your money

C

When you’re sittin’ at the table

Am G

There’ll be time enough for countin’

F G C

When the dealin’s done

Verse 5

C

And when he’d finished speakin’

F C

He turned back towards the window

Crushed out his cigarette

F G

And faded off to sleep

C

And somewhere in the darkness

F C

The gambler, he broke even

Am

But in his final words I found

G C

An ace that I could keep

Chorus

C

You got to know when to hold ’em

F C

Know when to fold ’em

F C

Know when to walk away

G

And know when to run

C F

You never count your money

C

When you’re sittin’ at the table

Am G

There’ll be time enough for countin’

F G C

When the dealin’s done

Practice tip: This is an excellent beginner song with just C, F, G, and Am. Focus on telling the story — the chord changes are simple enough that you can concentrate on your singing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "The Gambler"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: C, F, G and Am.

Is "The Gambler" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "The Gambler" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "The Gambler"?

It was written by Don Schlitz, and released in 1978.

Ctap to play

Ftap to play

Gtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

C · F · G · Am

The Gambler Chords – Banjo

Kenny Rogers’ iconic country storytelling classic about life advice from a stranger. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.

Country Ballad (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep the strum gentle and steady. This is a storytelling song, so let the words drive it. Slight palm muting adds a nice country feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C

On a warm summer’s evenin’

F C

On a train bound for nowhere

I met up with the gambler

F G

We were both too tired to sleep

C

So we took turns a-starin’

F C

Out the window at the darkness

Am

‘Til boredom overtook us

G C

And he began to speak

Verse 2

C

He said, “Son, I’ve made a life

F C

Out of readin’ people’s faces

And knowin’ what their cards were

F G

By the way they held their eyes

C

So if you don’t mind my sayin’

F C

I can see you’re out of aces

Am

For a taste of your whiskey

G C

I’ll give you some advice”

Verse 3

C

So I handed him my bottle

F C

And he drank down my last swallow

Then he bummed a cigarette

F G

And asked me for a light

C

And the night got deathly quiet

F C

And his face lost all expression

Am G

Said, “If you’re gonna play the game, boy

C

Ya gotta learn to play it right”

Chorus

C

You got to know when to hold ’em

F C

Know when to fold ’em

F C

Know when to walk away

G

And know when to run

C F

You never count your money

C

When you’re sittin’ at the table

Am G

There’ll be time enough for countin’

F G C

When the dealin’s done

Verse 4

C

Now every gambler knows that the

F C

Secret to survivin’

Is knowin’ what to throw away

F G

And knowing what to keep

C

’Cause every hand’s a winner

F C

And every hand’s a loser

Am

And the best that you can hope for is to

G C

Die in your sleep”

Chorus

C

You got to know when to hold ’em

F C

Know when to fold ’em

F C

Know when to walk away

G

And know when to run

C F

You never count your money

C

When you’re sittin’ at the table

Am G

There’ll be time enough for countin’

F G C

When the dealin’s done

Verse 5

C

And when he’d finished speakin’

F C

He turned back towards the window

Crushed out his cigarette

F G

And faded off to sleep

C

And somewhere in the darkness

F C

The gambler, he broke even

Am

But in his final words I found

G C

An ace that I could keep

Chorus

C

You got to know when to hold ’em

F C

Know when to fold ’em

F C

Know when to walk away

G

And know when to run

C F

You never count your money

C

When you’re sittin’ at the table

Am G

There’ll be time enough for countin’

F G C

When the dealin’s done

Practice tip: This is an excellent beginner song with just C, F, G, and Am. Focus on telling the story — the chord changes are simple enough that you can concentrate on your singing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "The Gambler"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: C, F, G and Am.

Is "The Gambler" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "The Gambler" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "The Gambler"?

It was written by Don Schlitz, and released in 1978.

Ctap to play

Ftap to play

Gtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

C · F · G · Am

The Gambler Chords – Mandolin

Kenny Rogers’ iconic country storytelling classic about life advice from a stranger. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.

Country Ballad (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep the strum gentle and steady. This is a storytelling song, so let the words drive it. Slight palm muting adds a nice country feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C

On a warm summer’s evenin’

F C

On a train bound for nowhere

I met up with the gambler

F G

We were both too tired to sleep

C

So we took turns a-starin’

F C

Out the window at the darkness

Am

‘Til boredom overtook us

G C

And he began to speak

Verse 2

C

He said, “Son, I’ve made a life

F C

Out of readin’ people’s faces

And knowin’ what their cards were

F G

By the way they held their eyes

C

So if you don’t mind my sayin’

F C

I can see you’re out of aces

Am

For a taste of your whiskey

G C

I’ll give you some advice”

Verse 3

C

So I handed him my bottle

F C

And he drank down my last swallow

Then he bummed a cigarette

F G

And asked me for a light

C

And the night got deathly quiet

F C

And his face lost all expression

Am G

Said, “If you’re gonna play the game, boy

C

Ya gotta learn to play it right”

Chorus

C

You got to know when to hold ’em

F C

Know when to fold ’em

F C

Know when to walk away

G

And know when to run

C F

You never count your money

C

When you’re sittin’ at the table

Am G

There’ll be time enough for countin’

F G C

When the dealin’s done

Verse 4

C

Now every gambler knows that the

F C

Secret to survivin’

Is knowin’ what to throw away

F G

And knowing what to keep

C

’Cause every hand’s a winner

F C

And every hand’s a loser

Am

And the best that you can hope for is to

G C

Die in your sleep”

Chorus

C

You got to know when to hold ’em

F C

Know when to fold ’em

F C

Know when to walk away

G

And know when to run

C F

You never count your money

C

When you’re sittin’ at the table

Am G

There’ll be time enough for countin’

F G C

When the dealin’s done

Verse 5

C

And when he’d finished speakin’

F C

He turned back towards the window

Crushed out his cigarette

F G

And faded off to sleep

C

And somewhere in the darkness

F C

The gambler, he broke even

Am

But in his final words I found

G C

An ace that I could keep

Chorus

C

You got to know when to hold ’em

F C

Know when to fold ’em

F C

Know when to walk away

G

And know when to run

C F

You never count your money

C

When you’re sittin’ at the table

Am G

There’ll be time enough for countin’

F G C

When the dealin’s done

Practice tip: This is an excellent beginner song with just C, F, G, and Am. Focus on telling the story — the chord changes are simple enough that you can concentrate on your singing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "The Gambler"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: C, F, G and Am.

Is "The Gambler" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "The Gambler" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "The Gambler"?

It was written by Don Schlitz, and released in 1978.

Ctap to play

Ftap to play

Gtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

C · F · G · Am

The Gambler Chords – Harmonica

Kenny Rogers’ iconic country storytelling classic about life advice from a stranger. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.

Country Ballad (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep the strum gentle and steady. This is a storytelling song, so let the words drive it. Slight palm muting adds a nice country feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C

On a warm summer’s evenin’

F C

On a train bound for nowhere

I met up with the gambler

F G

We were both too tired to sleep

C

So we took turns a-starin’

F C

Out the window at the darkness

Am

‘Til boredom overtook us

G C

And he began to speak

Verse 2

C

He said, “Son, I’ve made a life

F C

Out of readin’ people’s faces

And knowin’ what their cards were

F G

By the way they held their eyes

C

So if you don’t mind my sayin’

F C

I can see you’re out of aces

Am

For a taste of your whiskey

G C

I’ll give you some advice”

Verse 3

C

So I handed him my bottle

F C

And he drank down my last swallow

Then he bummed a cigarette

F G

And asked me for a light

C

And the night got deathly quiet

F C

And his face lost all expression

Am G

Said, “If you’re gonna play the game, boy

C

Ya gotta learn to play it right”

Chorus

C

You got to know when to hold ’em

F C

Know when to fold ’em

F C

Know when to walk away

G

And know when to run

C F

You never count your money

C

When you’re sittin’ at the table

Am G

There’ll be time enough for countin’

F G C

When the dealin’s done

Verse 4

C

Now every gambler knows that the

F C

Secret to survivin’

Is knowin’ what to throw away

F G

And knowing what to keep

C

’Cause every hand’s a winner

F C

And every hand’s a loser

Am

And the best that you can hope for is to

G C

Die in your sleep”

Chorus

C

You got to know when to hold ’em

F C

Know when to fold ’em

F C

Know when to walk away

G

And know when to run

C F

You never count your money

C

When you’re sittin’ at the table

Am G

There’ll be time enough for countin’

F G C

When the dealin’s done

Verse 5

C

And when he’d finished speakin’

F C

He turned back towards the window

Crushed out his cigarette

F G

And faded off to sleep

C

And somewhere in the darkness

F C

The gambler, he broke even

Am

But in his final words I found

G C

An ace that I could keep

Chorus

C

You got to know when to hold ’em

F C

Know when to fold ’em

F C

Know when to walk away

G

And know when to run

C F

You never count your money

C

When you’re sittin’ at the table

Am G

There’ll be time enough for countin’

F G C

When the dealin’s done

Practice tip: This is an excellent beginner song with just C, F, G, and Am. Focus on telling the story — the chord changes are simple enough that you can concentrate on your singing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "The Gambler"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: C, F, G and Am.

Is "The Gambler" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "The Gambler" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "The Gambler"?

It was written by Don Schlitz, and released in 1978.