How low do you all let your stack get before you top off? sorry if this has already been discussed, couldn't find it.

I never go below 80bbs. Most of the time never below 90bbs. Unless I have the table covered, then I don't bother until someone has more than me or I'm at a must move.

If I start at 100 BBs, I top back up if I go below 90. I just keep extra chips in my pocket and reload as needed.

i think it depends on your style of play. i.e. if you're active in a lot of small pots then its not as important as it is if you're laying in wait for a monster. I read in cardplayer a while back that one of there writers likes to wait until the button before adding on no matter how low he gets. I personally have been buying in super short around fifty bb's and will let it run to about 15bb's before i add-on. Mainly because it is forcing me to be more patient about my spots as well as paying more attention to hands i'm not involved in. Ofcourse that's just what I'M trying to work on lately. I definately think that tip about waiting for the button is pretty solid regardless of how you play.

The tip about the button is fairly sound.

It depends on the stacks of the other players at the table. I usually try to cover at least 7 of the people at the table (with nine opponents) . And the last two I would top off if I am below one normal size pot with them (e.g., if playing $1/$2 I won't go below $150 if they have $200).

It also depends on the other players' style. If everyone has 50-75 blinds at $1/$2 and there is one guy who has a full stack of 150 blinds but is a total nit, I won't worry about topping off because the nit is never putting his stack in without the nuts so I can drop way down from the max and just cover the rest of the action players.

Didn't realize you could just do that, although it makes sense. Can I buy $200 to have on the table and then a rack of $100 off the table that I can just add when I get low then?

I don't know if most rooms will let you keep a rack anywhere, but I usually just buy an extra $50 and keep them in my pocket.

I have seen a lot of Vegas locals that would max buy $1500 in 2/5 game, but plays like a 1/2 nit waiting for the big hand.

It was rather amusing to see two such nits going in with set over set, and the smaller set could have easily gotten away with the way action played out, but he was too blinded by the set he was waiting for all session long.

Buy in a number you're comfortable with, and what makes sense in the table dynamic.