Foxwoods $2000 NLHE Final Table Hand

[Gramps]

The difference between 3rd and 4th place is $17,000. If he calls and loses, he still has the short stack outchipped (and will still have him outchipped if he pays his blinds/antes and folds the next two hands). So, he's risking less than $8,500 for a great shot (read 50% or better) of not only the $17,000 for 3rd at worst, but virtually locking up the extra $35,000 for 2nd at worst (much better than his 50% shot or so that he has if he folds) - and giving himself a greater shot at 1st as well and the huge prize bump involved there.

Just because an action carries risk, doesn't mean that risk outweighs the reward. When you add up the risks and rewards here, given the information provided, it's clearly worth taking the risk here if your goal is $EV maximization.