The 1981 International Open (officially the 1981 Jameson International Open) was the first staging of the professional non-ranking snooker tournament that took place between 14 and 20 September 1981 at the Assembly Rooms in Derby, England. Television coverage was on ITV.

Earlier matches were played at the Romiley Forum in Stockport finishing on 12 September. Four of the last-16 matches were played there with the remaining four played in Derby.

Steve Davis won the tournament by defeating Dennis Taylor 9–0 in the final.

Main draw

Last 24 Best of 9 FramesLast 16 Best of 9 FramesQuarter-finals Best of 9 FramesSemi-finals Best of 17 FramesFinal Best of 17 Frames
England Steve Davis5
South Africa Perrie Mans5South Africa Perrie Mans3
England Tony Meo3England Steve Davis5
England David Taylor1
England David Taylor5
Canada Kirk Stevens5Canada Kirk Stevens0
England Jim Meadowcroft1England Steve Davis9
Northern Ireland Alex Higgins8
Wales Doug Mountjoy1
Northern Ireland Alex Higgins5Northern Ireland Alex Higgins5
Republic of Ireland Patsy Fagan3Northern Ireland Alex Higgins5
Wales Terry Griffiths2
Wales Terry Griffiths5
England John Spencer5England John Spencer2
England Ray Edmonds3England Steve Davis9
Northern Ireland Dennis Taylor0
Northern Ireland Dennis Taylor5
England Rex Williams5England Rex Williams1
England Fred Davis0Northern Ireland Dennis Taylor5
England John Virgo2
Wales Ray Reardon3
England John Virgo5England John Virgo5
England Tony Knowles2Northern Ireland Dennis Taylor9
England Dave Martin1
Australia Eddie Charlton2
England Dave Martin5England Dave Martin5
Canada Bill Werbeniuk2England Dave Martin5
England Graham Miles1
Canada Cliff Thorburn0
England Graham Miles5England Graham Miles5
England Joe Johnson3