Of all the poker titles out there now – and there are literally hundreds now, with varying degrees of information and benefit – there is none better than Phil Gordon’s “Little Green Book – Lessons and Teachings in No Limit Texas Hold’em.”

With this erstwhile effort, the Bay Area native solidified his hold as the preeminent teacher of no limit hold’em. The two-time WPT winner and 2001 Main Event final table participant is without peer when it comes to teaching the fundamentals, math and strategy necessary to become a winning player. What’s more, he does it with an easy-to-read style augmented by humor and personal experience.

Poker is an interesting game in that, unlike say, golf for instance, it can be largely book-learned. But the recent poker boom has saturated the market with a number of titles aimed at satisfying the public’s insatiable appetite for poker and making the author a few bucks in the process. Unfortunately, many of these books just recycle information with which most players are already familiar; others seem to use the author’s name recognition to get your attention but not offering a lot in the way of substance to make it worthwhile. Phil Hellmuth’s “Play Poker Like the Pros” comes to mind.

Coincidentally, some of Gordon’s biggest moments in poker have come at Hellmuth’s expense. The former host of Bravo’s “Celebrity Poker Showdown” made a name for himself when he folded K-K to Hellmuth’s A-A with two tables left in the 2001 Main Event. He also outplayed Hellmuth at the final table in his first WPT victory. Now, he’s gotten the better of his nemesis when it comes to prolific poker prose.

As a consummate student of the game, I’m always trying to glean information and advice from the players I admire, whether it’s reading their articles and books, or asking them in person. I’ve always thought a poker book was worth its cover price if I picked up just one or two useful hints.

Gordon’s “Little Green Book” gives you your money’s worth and more. After reading his outstanding debut effort, “Poker: The Real Deal,” I eagerly awaited this follow-up, which hit the shelves in 2005. It didn’t disappoint, and I tell anyone who is interested in improving his game that it is a must-have for his collection.

This book assumes you know the basics – like the definition of button and big blind, for example – and heads into more intermediate topics. Some of the major points that emphasizes are not going broke with one pair after the flop, having a reason to bet, betting the correct amount to give your opponent improper odds to call and hands “to go to war with,” such as an open-ended straight flush draw against top pair.

Which, incidentally, if you hold the open-ended straight flush draw, you are about 65 percent to win. For a player who used to struggle with the mathematics and pot-odds aspect of the game, I find Gordon’s quick math tips to perhaps the most useful information he provides.

Another reason Gordon’s text deserves credibility and respect: he plays precisely the way he suggests in his book. If you’ve read a number of poker books, then you know this is somewhat uncommon. It seems a lot of authors have a “Do as I say, not as I do” theme to their books especially after you watch them on TV a few times. Gordon explains up front that he may not be the best player in the world, but he will teach you the best he knows how. And he does.

In closing, the “Little Green Book” is a must-read if you consider yourself a serious poker player. Not only should it be on your book shelve, it should be on top.