As an Alekhine player, the move I face most often after 1. e4 Nf6 is 2.Nc3, since for most opponents this seems good enough and returns them to familiar territory. I usually answer with 2...e5 because I don't like the weird Caro-Kann-like positions with the bishop blocked by the knight that result after 2...d5 3.e5, and because I consider the Vienna an inferior try for white. However, when they play the Vienna gambit (3.f4), of which most don't know the theory, I frequently encounter an offbeat line that leads to extreme simplification, which is not what I want from the opening even as black. How should I avoid it? (see variations)

lol!

Also, if a GM wants to draw as White, he won't give up the first-move advantage to simplify the position, at least not until later on in the game. It's far from a dead draw in that position. There's little reason for White to give up the initiative just to get the queens and a piece off the board.