Lyric discussion by twogunterror 

Cover art for Loser lyrics by Grateful Dead

This song is about all those desperate (or seemingly desperate) people in the world who rely wholly on other people for survival. The story is about a gambler on a losing binge that's asking for a loan to win his way out of his debt. He's begging and pleading his lover, as she is probably the last person on earth who trusts him. He's a loser that claims to have some mystical or inside knowlege of the card game (he can tell which card is the queen of diamonds by the way she shines) but in actuality, if he did have an advantage, he wouldn't be indebted to the point of asking his lover for a loan. This song is a warning to the fans, who, while they are renowned for their sense of community, should still seek to be wise enough to avoid being taken advantage by "losers" who care about nothing but self benefit.

I think it's about poker though. And instead of the inside knowledge I think the guy knows how to cheat, at least a little bit. Maybe a mechanic grip but he still loses. He probably plays too drunk too and plays loose and loses money.

Also - he's chasing a straight. That's not good behavior to do that, if you can't bluff and bet properly. Just a guy who doesn't play smart. He chases hands that he doesn't hit and when he doesn't hit them he just loses money and goes back to get more and bet again. Doesn't learn from his mistakes. The girl, I think is someone that he goes to for money.

Last comment he doesn't cheat he's just a poor player. Pretty much agree with this comment.