5. Kenny Rogers - The Gambler

Kenny Rogers' the Gambler is found on every list of the world's best gambling songs. I feel compelled to include it although it has turned into somewhat of a cliché. Nevertheless, it's a good song and at least deserves the 5th spot on this list of the best songs about gambling.

 

 

4. Ace Frehley - Five Card Stud
The 4th place is not only a tribute to Five Card Stud but also to my favourite Kiss member Ace Frehley. When Gene, Paul, Ace, and Peter released a solo album each in 1978, the solo guitarist made a clean sweep with New York Groove, I'm In Need Of Love and Rip It Out. However, to get Mr. Ace into a list of gambling-related songs I have to choose a track from Trouble Walking released in 1989, probably his most underrated solo album.

 

 

3. The Clash - Three Card Trick

This song is not a classic gambling song, glorifying the life of Las Vegas and glittering casinos. Instead it focuses on the most basic form of gambling - the three card monte - a classic street hustle preformed by con-men on every busy high street around the world. The song has a place on this list mainly because it's written by the world's best band, The Clash.

"Dont you remember the place
Where we hid the ace?
Yeah not thick but slick
Now we all gotta play the three card trick"

 

 

2. Bruce Springsteen - Atlantic City

"Well, I got a job and tried to put my money away
But I got debts that no honest man can pay
So I drew what I had from the central trust
And I bought us two tickets on that coast city bus

Well now, evrything dies, baby, thats a fact
But maybe evrything that dies someday comes back
Put your makeup on, fix your hair up pretty
And meet me tonight in atlantic city"

I rest my case...

 

 

1. Townes Van Zandt - Mr. Mudd and Mr Gold

The late Townes Van Zandt was one of the greatest song writers ever lived. Just look at the list of artist who covered his songs: Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Merle Haggard, Norah Jones, Bobby Bare, Cowboy Junkies … and the list goes on.

Mr. Mudd and Mr Gold is simply a masterpiece revolving around a game of five card stud.

"Now mud he checked and gold bet all
And mud he raised and gold did call
And the smile just melted off his face
When mud turned over that diamond ace"

In this video, Mr. Mudd and Mr Gold is sung by Justin Earle - the son of another country/folk ledged, Steve Earle.