Tom Paxton
The Name of the Game Is Stud
Well late last night, in the Kettle of Fish
I was havin’ a glass of beer
When up comes a Rounder by the name of Sam
That lately been seen around here
He gives me a “Howdy” and he buys me a drink
And he calls me by my name
Says some of the boys are just a-waitin’ upstairs
Would you like to have a Poker game

There were four or five fellas round the table upstairs
The smoke was thick as sin
They took my coat and they pulled up a chair
And they proceeded to deal me in
I started in winnin’ with the very first hand
And I kept on winnin’ for a while
I had money in my pockets and money in my shoes
And money in a great big pile
But it’s -

Oh Lordy, don’t you see
This old Stud Poker be the ruin of me
You got to get ready to shed some blood
When the name of the game is Stud

I kept on winnin’ for an hour or more
And the boys were feelin’ low
I was lookin’ like a winner n’ feeling like a sinner
And I just about had their dough
I caught a pair of aces on the very last hand
And I bet my whole bank-roll
But Sam he had a pair of deuces on the deck
And another deuce in the hole
And it’s -
Oh Lordy, don’t you see
This old Stud Poker be the ruin of me
You got to get ready to shed some blood
When the name of the game is Stud

You know I lost every penny I had in the world
I lost my last red cent
Now my old woman ain’t talkin’ to me
And the landlord wants his rent
I know I had it comin’ and it sure enough did
And I’ve only got myself to blame
But my fingers keep itching and I keep on twitching
Just to find another Poker game
And it’s -

Oh Lordy, don’t you see
This old Stud Poker be the ruin of me
You got to get ready to shed some blood
When the name of the game is Stud