Moment poker player tore his ACL after winning huge hand at $1.1m final table

Poker star Justin Smith once suffered a freak injury after winning a massive hand in a $1,100,000 table.

Playing 90 minutes on a football pitch, competing in the UFC octagon or driving a Formula One car at over 230 mph can be some of the most physically demanding things somebody can do.

Naturally, this means that many professional athletes suffer injuries that can have a significant impact on the future of their careers.

Meanwhile there are plenty of sports where injuries are far less common, with the top players in darts or snookers rarely having to take time off to focus on their physical wellbeing.

Despite this, a top poker player once managed to suffer one of the worst injuries in professional sports after winning a huge prize during a million dollar tournament.

Across his highly-successful career, Justin Smith has won well over $2million (£1.48m) competing in some of the biggest tournaments in the world.

However, perhaps the most notable moment in his career isn't one that he would be keen to remember, as he once suffered an ACL tear when celebrating winning a hand.

More than 10 years ago, Smith was competing at the final table of a World Poker Tour event with over a million dollars on the line.

During a now viral moment, the American won a huge hand against all odds, causing him to leap out of his seat in celebration.

But Smith's celebrations didn't last long, as he suddenly knelt over in pain after suffering a brutal injury.

“Look how excited he is. His fans, his friends,” the commentators said during the event. “Wait a minute. Something’s wrong out there. He’s doubled over … he’s really in pain.”

when poker player Justin Smith TORE HIS ACL at a $1,100,000 @WPT Final Table 😱 pic.twitter.com/p9w1NkM67L

— World Poker Tour (@WPT) January 26, 2026

The concern from the commentary team was completely justified as it later was revealed that Smith had torn his ACL, and later needed to get surgery to repair his knee.

Although it is not known exactly what caused the injury, reports at the time suggested that the tendon may have been damaged from a motorcycle accident years prior to the injury.

However, like a true athlete, Smith decided to wave off any concerns at the time and continue playing in the tournament, later finishing in third place, taking home $464,870 (£344,554).