Chord diagrams are useful in order to solve the SYK model, or more precisely the double scaled SYK (DS-SYK) model, which is SYK in a specific large N limit. The solution actually applies to a large class of statistical K-local quantum mechanical models such as certain limits of spin glasses, and to non-K-local models such as the Parisi Hypercube model. I will set up the basic chord diagram solution of the model, and survey in what sense the bulk dual arises in this construction just via combinatorial manipulations. In particular I will use it to show how a non-commutative AdS_2 arises, and how to study integrable-to-chaotic phase transitions in DS-SYK.