Laying down AK in a tournament from a Poker Pro Magazine Article

[Sherman]

I agree w/Dave D.

Folding AK pre-flop is just plain stupid in most situations IMO. Other than Sat or ITM (meaning FT) considerations, I find it hard to believe that someone can determine a villain's range is exactly pairs and that AK is behind pairs. Beyond that, how can they determine that the villain is shoving with AQ in his range but not AJ? And not ATs?

The only way to know IMO, is to have some very very good reads and have witnessed the said villain to only be willing to shoving pocket pairs PF. That means he never shoves AQ or AJ PF. If you have a read that says he never shoves anything but pairs or AK PF, then fine. Go ahead and fold AK.

But seriously...when do you ever really have that read?