Our auctioneers generally open the bidding at an amount 25-50% under the low estimate, unless absentee “order bidding” (Order bidding definition: Bids that are accepted by time submitted and by bid amount on a first come first serve basis) takes place or there is a reserve (Reserve definition: The minimum price a consignor is willing to accept for an item) on the item.  Absentee (Absentee definition: A method of bidding for customers who cannot or do not wish to attend an auction) bids are placed competitively during the auction, reflecting on competing audience, phone, and online bidding participation. You may find our bid increments listed on the “Auction Information” tab on each of our listed auction catalogs.