Kruger Magazine

The game of poker has inspired, or at least featured in, many songs over the decades. The same can be said about gambling in general. Therefore, the problem is not necessarily trying to find songs for this list, but sifting through the pile to find the very best ones. Here are some of the all-time best songs on these topics. Sometimes they handle gambling in an explicit, literal way, and other times, gambling is used as a metaphor for something else.

5. Ray Charles – Blackjack: This is a very literal gambling song about a person who has bad luck at the game. People who enjoy the intricacies of blackjack will probably relish the fact that the lyrics describe the game and card hands in a detailed manner.

4. Leonard Cohen – The Stranger Song: This song has Cohen’s typical understated, moody poeticism. It is not a conventionally catchy or danceable song. It is best listened to in a quiet place, alone or with a few friends, when you have time and energy to truly appreciate the lyrics in this song. It is about a woman who has been badly treated by at least one man in her life. The rascal is compared to a dishonest dealer.

3. Lady Gaga – Poker Face: Of course, this list could not be complete without this danceable earworm. This is the song that introduced many of us to one of contemporary entertainment’s wackiest personalities. The lyrics may not have anything much to do with actual poker play, but the song demonstrates the degree to which poker-related terms has infiltrated everyday slang. For the fashion mavens among us, the music video provided endless fodder for discussion, no matter whether we loved or hated the clothes.

2. ABBA – The Winner Takes it All : No matter what you think about disco, it cannot be denied that ABBA has been a huge influence on music ever since the group shot to fame. This song reminds us that while gambling may be dramatic and exciting, it isn’t always glamorous and fun. There might be huge prizes or benefits that come with winning, but you have to be prepared to take the consequences if you have bad luck or are outplayed.

1. Frank Sinatra – Luck Be a Lady : Actually, Ol’ Blue Eyes was not the first person to sing this song. It is a song from the popular stage and movie musical Guys and Dolls. For added star power, do keep in mind that Marlon Brando (in his hunky younger days) performed this song in the film version of the play. The song is about a gambler who is going up for a major bet. Not only does he have a major financial stake in the upcoming game, but his relationship with the girl he loves is at risk. This may seem only the stuff of movies to people who know nothing about gambling, but the truth is that a gambling victory or loss is not just about money. Your gambling behavior and results can also impact your relationships—for better or worse, so it pays to have good judgment and caution, and not just in the financial sense.