[jeffnc]

Good question. I think the best way I can answer it is that the bad players make mistakes with both big stacks and short stacks, and the good players play both well.

One interesting example is how a very short stack is played. In one home game I frequent, you can't rebuy until you bust. When stacks get pretty low, people go all-in preflop with some pretty weak hands. They want to gamble, it doesn't cost a whole lot in absolute terms, and they want another new stack.

As a good player, this isn't a bad idea, since if you have a shorter stack than everyone else your winnings are very limited. It's probably worth it to dump your mini stack just so you can get back in the game.