With the 2011 edition of the World Series of Poker successfully in the books, the time has come to crown the WSOP Player of The Year.

A number of players have been in contention for the prestigious award as the series unfolded, but no one could really threaten this year's rising star, Ben Lamb, who squashed all competition in a historic breakthrough to the international tournament elite.

Already an accomplished tournament pro, Lamb would go on to make a full five WSOP cashes, including one bracelet win in the $10,000 PLO Championship, adding up to a total of more than $5 million worth of prize money.

Lamb also made a splash in the biggest event of them all, the $10,000 NLHE Main Event, where he finished third for a little more than $4 million after falling short to eventual runner-up Martin Staszko on the November Nine final table.

Lamb, however, was already sure to take home the Player of The Year award before the start of the Main Event final table, as he was already comfortably ahead of number two and three on the list, Phil Hellmuth and Chris Moorman.

Even a ninth place finish would still give Lamb the title, and after finishing in third he was as such able to take home the coveted title in convincing style.

With a total of 909.5 points, Lamb topped the list in front of Hellmuth with 755.25 points and Moorman with 753.95.

Hellmuth earned his runner-up finish following six cashes at the WSOP and WSOPE, the same amount a Moorman, whose biggest result was a runner-up finish at the WSOPE Main Event for €800,000.

Other notables on this year's Player of The Year ranking included Bertrand Grospellier in seventh, Jason Mercier in eighth and Main Event runner-up Martin Staszko in ninth.