Am I Constantly Overplaying My Short Stack?

Poker Strategy
1

I’m having a hard time with my mental game lately because I just keep running into it late in MTTs. It feels like for more than a week now, “every time” I shove AK or AJs or 88 off a 10-15 bb stack I run into QQ+ and lose.

And it’s starting to feel like I should make some type of adjustment because at that stack depth, theory says I should basically just be playing shove-fold but GOD if I don’t just run into it over and over and over!

Is this just bad variance? Is there a better strat with 9 9 or AQo from MP off 15bb, 5 from the money, than just open shoving? I know I can’t think of one!

And a lot of 1M regs get very nitty at this stage, which should further incentivize an aggressive preflop strategy! But man, this variance is making me lose my religion lol.

Someone please sit me down and give me a stern talking to!

2

As a person who does not use GTO much, I had similar problem when I was not sure of what to do. What I would suggest is you have to find your rhythm and stick to it. 10 BB and low, often gets bullied buy big stacks. It is obvious that you feel pressured and want to do something quick. What I would do is being more patient and go for that one card you want to go for. If big stack covers you and you hesitate, they WILL take advantage of it. GTO often suggests what to do, but it is not 100% proof. It is merely a suggestion and bring mathematical odds for you to decide. Don’t get discouraged by it. A A, K K, A K is often considered best hole card you can get. It is ok to go for it. I just think you need more strategy from get go to make sure your decision is what you wanted.