From Sklansky's Tournament Book

[Windbreaker]

I think you're missing the point Zybomb.

Obviously, if the blinds are relatively small compared to the stack size of the small stack, then you should at very least call.

However, considering the situation you're on a short handed table with 3 opponents with stacks of say 5,000, one short stack of 2,00 and you have 50,000 chips. The blinds are 250/500.

However there are two players on the other table with relatively the same chip stacks as you or more.

If you fold the pocket Queens now. And let the short stack take the blinds and antes (assuming everyone folds). Then he probably will have about 2750 chips. Now since only the top 10 pays. Players are naturally going to play a bit tighter.

This gives you the opportunity to steal blinds and bluff people off pots relatively easily. You can easily make up the 2750 or so you dropped off by folding.

If you call the bet and win in that situation, now you're on the final table...great job....but you have 3 people with about equal chips...stealing will be a lot harder now people are paid...they'll be more willing to take a chance and go over the top of any steal attempts.

Making the fold a better option, since you have the opportunity to cripple several other players and pile on the chips.