---
title: Bidding Modes Explained
description: When you add an Auction item to your event, you will be asked to choose a Bidding Mode. Please see the guidance below for which bidding mode you should choose.
---

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# Bidding Modes Explained

## When you add an Auction item to your event, you will be asked to choose a Bidding Mode. Please see the guidance below for which bidding mode you should choose.

**Silent Auction Item**

- A silent auction item allows a higher bid to outbid a lower bid.
- If a guest is **‘outbid’,** they will receive a text and email and be encouraged to increase their bid.
- On silent auction items, you can enable **Max Bidding**. If enabled, a guest will be able to put in a maximum bid for the item. The system will then bid on their behalf until their maximum bid has been reached.
- On the auction site, bidders will be able to see the **Current Highest Bid** and **Bidder Name** (if not anonymous).
- The **highest bid** at the end of the auction wins.

**Silent Auction Bidding**

 **![auction bidding 1](https://support.emma-live.com/hs-fs/hubfs/auction%20bidding%201.png?width=589&height=528&name=auction%20bidding%201.png)**

**Sealed Auction Item**

- A sealed auction item allows guests to see the **Minimum Bid**, and **how many bids have been received** on the item.
- When another bid is placed on the item, a guest receives one **Sealed bid notification** the first time someone else bids after them**.** This notification alerts the guest that someone else has also bid on the item to encourage them to increase their own bid.
- This is typically used where there are **multiple chances to win the item**, and the quantity of items available is **higher than one** (Edit Auction Item \> Price and Quantity).
- **The top highest bidders** (corresponding to the quantity of items available on the item) at the end of the auction win.

**Sealed Bidding**

**![auction bidding 2](https://support.emma-live.com/hs-fs/hubfs/auction%20bidding%202.png?width=597&height=510&name=auction%20bidding%202.png)**

**Live Auction Item**

- A live auction item is one that will be auctioned off in the event.
- Guests can click on the item on the site, to view all the details prior to the live auction taking place.
- You can allow **Pre-bids** on live items. This allows guests to place bids on Live items (if they aren’t attending the event). Pre-bids must close prior to the Live Auction taking place in the room.

 Please note that pre-bidding on Live Auction items is the same as silent auction item bidding – guests will receive outbid notifications and can bid several times. We recommend adding text to the items about adding their maximum bid straight away. 

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