Tommy Vedes collected a seven-figure prize after winning a Las Vegas poker tournament

Tommy Vedes secured the biggest victory of his career when he clinched the World Poker Tour Festa al Lago Championship title at the Bellagio, Las Vegas on Monday.

The US poker professional defeated Jason Lavallee in the heads-up to capture his first major title and a US$1,218,255 payday.

A Vedes victory looked to be an unlikely scenario when he began the final table of the US$15,000 buy-in event in third position, almost 900,000 chips adrift of leader Freddy Deeb.

Things got worse for Vedes during the early hands and he was on the brink of being eliminated after going all-in against Shawn Cunix, only to be rescued by a king on the turn.

Cunix exited in sixth position shortly after losing the hand and was followed out by Jason Burt, before Vedes eliminated double World Series of Poker bracelet holder Deeb.

Lavallee then sent Craig Crivello crashing out to set up a tense heads-up, during which he gained a commanding chip lead.

However, Vedes fought back and wiped out his opponent's lead by winning two big pots, before finally securing the title with three queens, leaving Lavallee to settle for a runners-up prize of US$795,150.