A US man, who skipped his niece’s wedding for a Las Vegas poker tournament, has won more than £260,000.

63-year-old Harlan Miller had been invited to the wedding of his niece, Macie, in Montana, but instead of watching her tie the knot, he jetted off to Las Vegas to win big.

To the surprise of some family members, Miller decided to skip the nuptials to participate in the Mid-Stakes Poker Tour Venetian $1,100 Main Event.

Speaking about his decision to miss the big day, Miller said: “I figured if one (member of the family) was missing (at the wedding), it wouldn’t hurt anything.

“I just had a really strong feeling about this tournament. I had to go. I don’t really know what it was, but I thought I could take it down, or get really close to it. I can get (Macie) a better wedding present now.”

The tournament saw Miller, who is a retired office supply company owner, take on 2,790 players.

Having played poker for more than 15 years and won over £350,000, Miller was able to beat pro poker player Ryan Dodd with a straight to take home the top prize.