If ity was as you described it, Two all ins pre flop, me with the A9, and having to risk my whole tournament. I would have folded. If the all ins were after the flop, I would have blamed it on the fact that it was a $30 tourn. Why did you see the flop? Pre flop you don't know you were full.

And ultimately, one hand that goes against you does not invalidate smart play. You play the percentages and the players, the cards over time will take care of themselves. But if you play in penny ante games, or tourneys then unskilled players can play badly, and one may get lucky. The reason, no risk, and for bluffs and raises, and skilled play to matter, there has top be a risk.

One correction, if everybody is going all in, the AK is going to get great pot odds, and can race for the king if he isn't best hand