How to play hands like AJ off UTG with little less than an average stack (say 22 bb) a little before the bubble on over aggressive tables.

What happens is I often get 3 bet or big stacks call and float to bluff at later streets ... considering bubble as well as pressure to save stack makes our play really tough with 22-23 bb ...

Let me give one specific hand that just happened -

1) I open 2.2 BB with AJ off in UTG. (as with my stack it isn't ideal to shove I guess - could fold? ). Button flats with around 35 BB.

2) Flop is 4c 8d Ac. I C-bet 40% of the pot. (Is it right? Should bet more - as it give ppl opportunity to float but with our stack - betting more won't be a problem? Villain call.

3) Turn is Kc - I bet another 50% Pot and he re-raises ...

Now what to do in this spot? And such spots keep coming bit too often for me

Very villain dependant here. Do we have the J? I would probably check with no J and bet less than 50% OTT with J, but we're not beating much when they raise here. Sometimes it's hard to make these folds when we're short, but we would still have enough left if we folded. The question becomes if we did check and they bet then what do we do? Since we are just before the bubble if the money is important to you then we can x/f, if we think villain is getting out of line we could jam it. Really depends on what your reads are.

I think it is better to bet big on the flop. I can't think the bubble after hitting top pair. I shove at turn with fingers crossed. I don't like to bet small vs bigger stack who can put pressure on me.

Do we hold the J of clubs, OP?