I prefer the Advance Variation, Short style, with 3.Nf3. Black is comitted to playing c5, and there a limited number of strategal ideas, so that allows the White player to prepare and anticpate with relative simplicity. The fact that Black is able to develop his White-squared bishop to f5 is a plus, compared to the Advance French, but it is not without peril, since it is subject to attack with tempo, and, in some instances Black is vulnerable on the white squares of his queen side if he/she does not take the proper precautions.
One other point.... Black's king stays in the middle for a while, as he tries to get his pieces out in a logjam. If Black delays c5 too long, White, in some variations can prepare a c4 reply to c5 where the center suddenly becomes opened with the Black King still on e8. I have had many successes with this idea, although, realistically, most of the good results come from a Caro Kann player not being ready for early complications. Many of my "brilliancies" have been soundly refuted by post-mortem engine analysis.
What is a good way to play against the Caro Kann? I am rated around 1650 so looking for a fairly simple way to attack against players in the 1600-1800 range. How about the advance variation, and the Spassky gambit? Anybody use that? Advice please, and if possible some links to videos. Thanks