I understand when there is no crisis, the boss will want to play

politics: give the guys he likes more(or whatever called better) jobs, give the guys he does not like less or worse jobs to do;

but when crisis coming, for example, 4 of 8 need go, how can he select?

Select the ones he likes?

He is not stupid. The reason why he can keep his own job is not because he has ones he likes, but he has ones who can finish his work.

No hesitation, he will let the weaker guys go, even it looks like in usual days, he likes the girls so very much, treat them so gently.

I experienced 2 times lay-off in a company, I, honestly, myself think I am not the one the Indian boss likes. He can for a couple of weeks not give me any email, and at the same time, his indian girls are made looked pretty busy and rich of their everyday life.

But, in the end, his girls were let go. I felt surprised to let stay till I myself found another job.

This is true. No a story. Basically, people know it pretty well: who will go, will stay.