By Nathan Sheridan

• Posted in Auction
• APRIL 6, 2026
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Understanding Simulcast Auctions: What Every Bidder Should Know

Simulcast auctions have opened the door for more people than ever to participate in personal property sales. It’s important for bidders to understand how the process works—especially the differences between bidding online and bidding live.

The Difference Between Live and Online Bidding

In a live auction setting, everything happens in real time. The auctioneer is interacting directly with the crowd, recognizing bids instantly, and moving at a pace driven by the room. In-person bidders have the advantage of reacting immediately, adjusting their strategy on the spot, and staying fully engaged.

Online bidding adds convenience, but it operates a bit differently. Many online bidders choose to place pre-bids, including setting a maximum bid ahead of the live auction. What’s important to understand is that the system does not automatically jump to that maximum—it only increases the bid incrementally as competition pushes it higher.

How Maximum Bids Work in a Live Environment

For example, if an online bidder places a $250 maximum bid, but competing bids only advance the price to $225 during prebidding, the system will stop there until more bids are placed. When the auction transitions to the live portion, the auctioneer is working off that current bid—not the unseen maximum.

If the auctioneer accepts $225 and calls for $250, and a bidder in the room responds first, that bid is recognized in real time. At that point, the system must honor the live bid as it was taken. Because the auctioneer cannot see an online bidder’s maximum—and online bidders wouldn’t want that disclosed—the system cannot automatically apply that hidden max once a live bid has already been accepted at the same level. The system must honor what the auctioneer recognizes as the leading bid.

Why Staying Engaged Matters

We understand this can be frustrating, especially when it feels like your pre-bid should have held the lead. However, this is not an issue unique to any one platform—it’s simply part of how simulcast auctions function. Maintaining fairness means recognizing bids exactly as they are received during the live auction.

For bidders who want the most control, we always recommend being actively engaged during the live portion of the auction—whether that’s in person or online in real time. Staying involved allows you to respond immediately and compete as the bidding unfolds.

Our Goal at SHERIDANS

At SHERIDANS, our goal is to create a competitive, transparent environment for both buyers and sellers. Understanding how simulcast bidding works helps ensure a smoother experience and better results for everyone involved.

If you have questions about the bidding process or want to be fully prepared for your next auction, visit www.SheridanTeam.com or call (937) 766-2300.