Who is your Snooker Player of the Year in 2021?

In recent years, there has usually been one standout player, but 2021 has had a lot more variety and competition and to pick an outright player of the year is not so obvious. The season was exciting with different players stepping up in every tournament with codes and offers for online betting skyrocketing to the delight of fans around the world. 

Let's look at the players who could challenge for the title of best snooker player in 2021.

Neil Robertson

One of the things that seems to be guaranteed in snooker is an annual title or two for Robertson.

This year was no different - Robertson won the Tour Championship at the end of last season and the British Open at the start of this one.

If Robertson had won the World Grand Prix just before Christmas, he would likely be a contender for the 2021 Snooker Player of the Year award, given the prestige of the events in question, but the 39-year-old was no match for Ronnie O'Sullivan.

Robertson, who missed several events over the summer while getting married, lost in the quarter-finals of the World Championships.

Judd Trump

Trump, the best player for 2019 and 2020, was again the most productive player on the circuit, winning three titles in 2021.

The Englishman defended his crowns at the German Masters and Gibraltar Open, and recently added the first Champions of Champions trophy to his impressive resume.

However, Trump's level undoubtedly dropped compared to the previous two years when he imposed himself as a dominant force.

Trump missed the Masters earlier this year after testing positive for COVID-19, reached only the last 16 at the Crucible and has not reached the semi-finals of a ranking event so far this season.

John Higgins

Higgins featured in six tournament finals in 2021 - the most of any player on this list - but the Scot managed just one success.

However, it was a big win as Higgins achieved one of the most impressive victories in Players Championship history in February.

The wizard from Wishaw was in top form and lost just four frames in four games, taking the £125,000 top prize.

Higgins, who benefited from a new fitness regime in the second half of the year, came close to silver at the Masters, Northern Ireland Open and English Open, as well as runner-up finishes at the Champion of Champions and Scottish Open.

Mark Selby

Selby's year is dedicated to his World Championship triumph in May - a fourth glory at the Crucible Theatre that cemented his status as one of the greatest players of all time.

Buoyed by Sheffield's £500,000 championship cheque, the Jester returned to the world number one spot in the summer and retained that prestigious position at the end of the year.

Despite performing brilliantly at the World Championships, Selby hasn't featured in many events in 2021, especially this season.

Selby reached the Shoot Out final in February, but the 38-year-old has only reached the semi-finals in one ranking event since.

Ronnie O'Sullivan

This has not been a typical Ronnie year, but that World Grand prix win is all the justification you need for why he is on this list.

The Rocket's 2021 record of one tournament win, three runner-up finishes, and two semi-finals would be a source of immense pride for most others.

However, the late explosion of O'Sullivan's record, beating Neil Robertson in the recent World Grand Prix, has added gloss to an otherwise strange 12-month period.

O'Sullivan was rarely, if ever, at his best, constantly struggling against other elite players and often relying on the aura of his resume to stun players down the rankings.