Kenny Rogers knows when to hold em. Knows when to fold em. Knows when to walk away. Knows when to run.

Knows when to put his house on the block.

The Gambler’s 150-acre spread outside Athens has been on the market for a while. Since no buyer has materialized, the estate will be auctioned on June 26.

It’s an absolute auction, meaning there’s no minimum or reserve.

“What this property will sell for it really is anyone’s guess,” said Scott Kirk, executive vice president of Charlotte-based Grand Estates Auction Company, who said the property had once been listed at $3.5 million. “That’s the beauty of this. There’s not the fear of overpaying like can happen in a listing situation. You have the market surrounding you.”

The auction starts at 2 p.m. on bidding day, and remote bidding can be arranged. Previews for potential bidders starts at 11 a.m. June 22, but you need some cred to get on that list – a $100,000 certified check or a personal check and bank letter of guarantee – to register as a bidder. Call 877-641-2854 or 704-697-1834 or see www.kennyrogersauction.com if that’s you.

Rogers bought the estate about three or four years ago, said Kirk. Actually he bought the land and then built the five bedroom, five bathroom house. It’s described as “Polynesian-inspired,” and featuring “superb craftsmanship including oak and marble inlaid floors, custom millwork, a gourmet kitchen, three-car garage, separate guest house, lush landscaping and enormous lake-side picture windows to take advantage of the views.” It’s being sold fully furnished with water vehicles including a pontoon boat and personal watercraft.

“This is a great property in a great location,” Kirk said. “This is a great opportunity.”

Rogers, who is scheduled to perform a July 14 concert with Glen Campbell at Chastain, has gotten too busy to spend much time at the place,” Kirk said.

“Kenny owns several properties,” Kirk said. “He’s very busy with his tour. He just put out a new album. There’s only so much time. He’s gotten his use out of it. It’s time to move on.”

AP photo

Rogers isn’t scheduled to be present the day of the auction, and there’s no guarantee that the buyer gets to meet him. You never know, though. Buyers and sellers do have to get together for the handover of the keys and such, right?

“He’s a really super nice guy,” Kirk said. “We’re very lucky to be able to work with Kenny. He’s not simply a singer. He’s a modern day Renaissance man.”

The auction company didn’t make Rogers available for comment but did include a statement from him praising the auction company.

- Jennifer Brett/The Buzz/jbrett@ajc.com