Okay so I see a lot of people saying that Ali was too nice, yes he is a very nice lad but he was very stupid to think being nice would get him far.
The tug of war game is the biggest red flag to all contestants that these people don't care about you dying. your literally pulling on a rope that leads to 8+ people dying. If your willing to kill people to protect your chances at winning money then why would you ever think that these same people would have any problem killing you?
Ali was willing to take a chance with the guy who crossed him who he already knows is ruthless and willing to risk it all for money?
If Ali was stupid enough to think a murderer cared about his 1-week long friendship over his life then...he basically won the darwin award.