An update, if anyone's interested:

Tried my hand at the PS $5+.50 tournament today ... finished in the money, besting about 700 of 825 people. Sad thing is, I got rivered, and I only ended up cashing for $7.50 for two hours' time. I did learn a fair bit though, which will help me profit in the long run.

I also tried out the $3 one they ran this afternoon, cashing in that one as well, beating about 1000 of the 1200 entries. Again, sadly, I was driven out in the first level of the cash. I had AKs, again, with a mid-short stack. I pushed (didn't respond to a push), someone called with J5s, and they got a 5 on the river. The guy called my bet --- which was 1/2 of his stack --- with that, after I had been playing fairly tight. Couldn't believe it, and 7/10 times I'm going to win that hand, but oh well!

Irexes, I did try your method and am happy to report it saved my bacon at least once. Thanks!