When I played a local 3table tourney where generally it was payout to 4-6th place depending on turnout, I took the deal once. Final 3, we all had around the same amount of chips split the night three ways. Other times, I had it where at 3 players I was chip leader or 2nd in chips, and 3rd in chips wasn't close and I didn't want to settle for a 3way split, 2nd place was probably the worst I was going to do. When it got to heads up I never did take a "chop" I would play out, and I lost out more than I won taking 2nd place. Always the time I run bad on cards and draws. Flop 2pair or a set and the turn or river am flushed out. Or runner runner.
I really have bad luck when it's time to make some money. 2nd place is nice, but I need some 1sts to feel like I made money in these little 3table tourneys.