[stronK]

Hey guys, im a fellow platinum player and just would like to ask some simple questions.

1) How many probes should you make of 2 base?

2) Should you constantly make probes until you saturate 3 bases ( if your playing a macro game)

3) When do you usually take your 3rd?

[Peleus]

1) I can give you numbers but it's more important to know why.

Mining saturation works the following way.

You need 3 per gas to effectively mine, so 6 in total per base (2 gases)
Your first 16 probes mine at 100% efficiency, the next 8 mine at 50% efficiency, any following are useless in terms of mining.

That means you want 16 + 8 + 6 = 30 at each base. Off two bases you'd theoretically stop at 60, but realistically you keep making probes so you can transfer an excess to your third to get it up and running quicker. Long story short stop at ~70 probes and aim to have at least 16 on each mineral line and 3 in each gas.

2) Yes, see above - excluding any specific timings etc you may be aiming for. At your level, just make more probes.

3) Varies on matchup, I'm not P but in Z you want it about ~11 / 12 mins.

[2ezy]

As Peleus said

1) 16 on minerals and 3 in gas is prime per base, 24 is still useful on minerals but after that it's pure overkill.
2) Yup
3) Depends on the match up and it's more about what's going on in the game then a set time.
Against Zerg I take it when I know I can hold it if I'm not 2 base all in, eg I have the sentry's and Immortals to keep the 3rd up normally with some cannons.
Against Terran, I play reactive so it depends on army size and where my tech is at I normally want splash damage and good drop defense up before I'll go for it. Again though that can change if you 3 gate pressured well you can expand off the back of it.
PvP my games don't normally go that far but what I have heard is you don't was as many probes because you want the army size (late game)

Hope that helps >.<