Re: Folding AK preflop
 

I don't think its weak to buy-in short. But it certainly does not "simplify" the game. Unless you are an experience short-stack player of course.

Re: Folding AK preflop
 

Short stack clearly simplifies the game. I'm basically looking for strong hands, bet large preflop and get the rest in on the flop, with an edge on the likely holdings for opponents. I'm avoiding tricky turn and river situations and cutting the implied odds for opponents. I'm glad to see that my thinking on this hand was not far off.