Would you rather push into shorter stacks? Yes. Do you have a choice? No.

You are going to have to push through the big stack regardless...and you still do have enough chips that if he doubles you up you two are about even and he has to fight a little bit. Of course, if he's shown he is loose and will do a lot of calling, you don't want to push with everything, but you will get some hands you can't fold.

The key is, you are short stacked here (you and 2 others). Being more aggressive than the other shorties in stealing blinds and pots is going to get you in the money more often, and deeper into the money more often. If you and the other 2 shorties play tight hoping someone else will die first, then you are basically giving away 1st place and splitting 2nd and 3rd place 3 ways.

Dennis