Before you say it, yes, I know 10's usually don't make great partners. And ok, yes I know, it isn't nice to classify people as a "rating".

I also know I'm probably going to get flamed by some people for this post but w/e.

For reference, I am a 29M, make $400k/yr, have an attractive face and am in above average shape (I'd say 8/10 shape wise). That being said, I am below average height 5'9, which is usually a quick neg, if ever brought up by a girl.

I have gotten to the point, with confidence and game, where I can EASILY full close a ~7 same night (I have gotten this down to a science).

Now you may say, this sounds great. The problem is, I don't find myself to actually be genuinely attracted to these girls.

However, my game really falters with the 8.5 - 10s that I am in fact attracted to - it is hard for me to even get a 10 on a date).

I can reliably kiss close an 8.5 - 10, but to my surprise, after a night of kissing / making out, I never hear from them again - ESPECIALLY when I follow up to make new plans.

Just within the past 2 weeks I've kiss closed (I'm talking passionate making out) 2 8.5's - but nothing more, and then, when I've tried to make plans, crickets (tbf I met both of them while traveling).

Maybe I am just a closeted incel, but I've realized that with the 8.5s - 10s, their expectations are WAY higher, their shit tests are brazen and more difficult, and their options are far more plentiful.

I am in between Miami / NYC and Texas, and the average 8.5 I go out with generally has 5 of me blowing up there phone, inviting them on private jets, yachts, 5 star dinners etc, bottles at clubs etc. I can count around the fingers on my right hand that the nice 8.5 I'm out with in Miami actually ends up being a sugar baby to some 55 year old private equity fund co-founder or heir to a real estate fortune.

You may think I am being hyperbolic here - but I am not. This is how it is in major metropolitan cities.

Is it best to just avoid these "higher tier" girls, or do I need to just continue to "work" on my game, as well as further substantiate my self.

Do i need to study escalation techniques and learn some Jedi mind tricks, some NLP like cold reading and escalation techniques, or does it just click when it clicks? (Nothing in my life has ever clicked without me putting the work, so maybe I just need to learn how to escalate better....).