Kenny Rogers - The Gambler Chords

ChordsD, G, A, Em

Strumming↓-↓↑-↓↑-↓↑

Before you play, tune your guitar and use the tools below to set up your view and flow.

OnaDwarmsummer’seveningonaGtrainboundforDnowhere,

Imetupwiththegambler;wewerebothtootiredtoAsleep.

SoDwetookturnsastaringouttheGwindowattheDdarkness

‘TillGboredomoverDtookus,andAhebegantoDspeak.

Hesaid,D“Son,I’vemadealifeoutofGreadingpeople’sDfaces,

andknowingwhattheircardswerebythewaytheyheldtheirAeyes.

AndifDyoudon’tmindmysaying,IcanGseeyou’reoutofDaces.

ForaGtasteofyourDwhiskeyI’llAgiveyousomeDadvice.”

SoIDhandedhimmybottle

andheGdrankdownmylastDswallow.

ThenhebummedacigaretteandaskedmeforaAlight.

AndtheDnightgotdeathlyquiet,

andhisGfacelostall Dexpression.

Said,“Ifyou’reGgonnaplaytheDgame,boy,

yagottaAlearntoplayitDright.

YougottoDknowwhentohold’em,GknowwhentoDfold’em,

GknowwhentoDwalkawayandknowwhentoArun.

YouneverDcountEmyourDmoneywhenyou’reGsittingattheDtable.

There’llbeGtimeenoughforDcountingAwhenthedealingsDdone.

DEverygamblerknowsthattheGsecretto Dsurviving

isknowingwhattothrowawayandknowingwhattoAkeep.

‘CauseDeveryhand’sawinnerandGeveryhand’saDloser,

andtheGbestthatyoucanDhopeforistoAdieinyourDsleep.”

AndDwhenhe’dfinishedspeaking,heGturnedbacktowardstheDwindow,

crushedouthiscigaretteandfadedofftoAsleep.

AndDsomewhereinthedarknesstheGgambler,hebrokeDeven.

ButGinhisfinalDwordsIfoundanAacethatIcouldDkeep.

YougottoDknowwhentohold’em,GknowwhentoDfold’em,

GknowwhentoDwalkawayandknowwhentoArun.

YouneverDcountEmyourDmoneywhenyou’reGsittingattheDtable.

There’llbeGtimeenoughforDcountingAwhenthedealin’sDdone.

ArtistKenny Rogers

AlbumThe Gambler

GenresCountry

Year1978

KeyD

DifficultyEasy

How to play The Gambler on Guitar (Step-by-step)

Kenny Rogers - The Gambler on guitar requires 4 chords and 3 core chord transitions. You can find the full step-by-step guide below. Before you start, tune your instrument. The song uses the ↓-↓↑-↓↑-↓↑ pattern; practice it muted first, or simplify to downstrokes while you learn the changes.

The Gambler uses these transitions most often: D → G (23), G → D (23), and A → D (14). These transitions may feel a little challenging at first, but with steady practice you can play this song quickly.When you are ready, begin with D - G chord transition.

1. D → G chord transition

To move from D to G:

Lift your index finger from G string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 2.
Slide your middle finger from E string fret 2 to E string fret 3.
Lift your ring finger from B string fret 3 and place it on E string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse, played 23 times.

2. D → A chord transition

To move from D to A:

Lift your index finger from G string fret 2 and place it on D string fret 2.
Slide your middle finger from E string fret 2 to G string fret 2.
Slide your ring finger on B string from fret 3 to fret 2.

This transition appears in the verse, played 14 times.

3. D → Em chord transition

Here's how to move from D to Em:

While playing D, lift your index finger from G string fret 2.
Lift your middle finger from E string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 2.
Slide your ring finger from B string fret 3 to D string fret 2.

This transition appears in the chorus, played 2 times.

The Gambler chord transition analysis

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in The Gambler.

The Gambler includes 78 chord transitions, 3 of them unique.
These transitions represent 0.02% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
The Gambler contains 3 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
These transition patterns show how The Gambler connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
After D, the most likely next chords across Chordier are G (29%), A (17%), and Em (17%).
- D → G: 29%
- D → A: 17%
After G, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (25%), D (24%), and Am (13%).
- G → D: 24%