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Hand 1 is why I push with AK preflop. I might come in smaller with QQ-AA in hopes of getting action, but not AK.

In this case you are in check down mode with the BB essentially all-in, which is obviously good for you.

Hand 2: I like the play a lot better with QQ but if the table is loose enough that you get 2 callers I think I'd just go ahead and push. One of them will likely come along anyway. I think you have to go into checkfold mode against 2 players, they are going to have an A way to often.

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Now in general: Is it important to slowplay good hands like AKo, QQ preflop to extract more value,

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No, its not important. I do it rarely and usually only when the players seem tight but not good enough to see through the smaller raise for what it is. I push so often at this point in the SNG that people are usually looking to call me with trash, so I might as well push my big hands too and hope this is the time they find some trash good enough to call with.