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Version 1 Version 2 Version 3 Version 4 Version 6 Version 7The original is in the key of Eb with a key change up to E (i think the transition chord is an F chord) I have come up with this version as a novice version that allows for a key change without the more difficult barre chords. This version goes from key of Eb to F CHORDS (Relative to Capo on 3rd fret) C x32010 F 133211 G 320033 D xx0232 A x02220 [Verse 1] C C F C On a warm summer's evenin' on a train bound for nowhere, F C C G I met up with the gambler; we were both too tired to sleep. C C F C So we took turns a starin' out the window at the darkness F C G C 'til boredom overtook us, and he began to speak. [Verse 2] C C F C He said, "Son, I've made a life out of readin' people's faces, F C C G and knowin' what their cards were by the way they held their eyes. C C F C And 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." [Verse 3] C C F C So I handed him my bottle and he drank down my last swallow. F C C G Then he bummed a cigarette and asked me for a light. C 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, ya gotta learn to play it right. [Chorus] C C F C You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, F C C G know when to walk away and know when to run. C C F C You don't count your money when you're sittin' at the table. F C G C C D D There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done. [Verse 4] D D G D Ev'ry gambler knows that the secret to survivin' G D D A is knowin' what to throw away and knowing what to keep. D D G D 'Cause ev'ry hand's a winner and ev'ry hand's a loser, G D A D and the best that you can hope for is to die in your sleep." [Verse 5] D D G D And when he'd finished speakin', he turned back towards the window, G D D A crushed out his cigarette and faded off to sleep. D D G D And somewhere in the darkness the gambler, he broke even. G D A D But in his final words I found an ace that I could keep. [Chorus] D D G D You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, G D D A know when to walk away and know when to run. D D G D You don't count your money when you're sittin' at the table. G D A D There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done.