The $300 Jason Taylor Foundation Charity Event was the main focus of Wednesday’s action at the 2016 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown.

Taylor, a former NFL defensive end, nearly won his own tournament, finishing third. It was John Virga who came out on top and took home $5,035 and a seat into the $3,500 WPT main event on Friday.

There was plenty of star power in the field besides Taylor himself. ESPN’s Israel Gutierrez and Dan LeBatard were both in the field along with most of the WPT family playing poker for a good cause. Commentators Mike Sexton and Vince Van Patten were both in the field, but fell short of cashing.

While money was being raised for charity, the $1,100 No Limit Hold’em saw it’s guarantee more than double. What started with a $100,000 guaranteed prizepool turned into a field of 261 players and a prizepool of $261,000.

Ryan Olisar took the win in a heads-up chop with Brian Altman. Olisar took home $61,180 for his efforts and Altman earned $51,476.

With the $3,500 WPT main event starting on Friday, Thursday’s action consists only of a $2,200 No Limit Hold’em eight-max event, which kicks off at noon. There are also satellites running around the clock to win a seat into any of the upcoming WPT events the run through the end of the series.

Here’s a detailed look at Thursday’s schedule:

• 12 p.m. – $2,200 No Limit Hold’em Eight-Max Freeze-Out

Check back with SHRPO.com for complete coverage of the day’s action.