Auction Hand Signals Every Bidder Should Know

“One dollar bid. Now two. Now three. Will you give me four? Bidder bid. Bid now. Will you bid? Five dollars. Now six. Now six. Seven dollars! Eight dollar bid. Now nine. Now 10.”

The auctioneer’s chant fills the room. It echoes from the big speakers under the auction tent. It’s the marquee sound that signifies the very essence of auctions, and you can experience it for yourself.

Auctions are wildly popular methods for buying and selling, especially in the real estate market. Part of this includes the use of auction bidding gestures, and buyers must be aware of hand signals at auctions. Here’s your auction signal guide, and other information that every bidder should know.

Editor’s Note: This is not financial, investment, legal, auction, or real estate advice. Consult with a financial planner, investment specialist, real estate lawyer, and real estate professional before buying or selling land at auction.

Bidder Hand Signals and Communications to Know

As noted, bidder hand signals are used to navigate auctions. This form of communication is implemented to relay important interactions between bidders and auctioneers.

“I don't do this much anymore unless I'm in an area where there aren’t many auctions,” said Cody Lowderman with Ranch & Farm Auctions. “But one of my favorite questions before starting an auction is to ask them to raise their hand if they've never been to an auction before. You know, 75% to 90% of people will raise their hand. I’ll just say, ‘See, it's that simple. All I need is you to raise your hand.’”

Given the increase in auction popularity, Lowderman notes that more people are what he refers to as “auction aware.” That’s especially true with people who attend land-centric auctions.

Some hand and head gestures should be known by bidders. For example, bidders often raise their hand or nod their head to indicate their next bid. (Head gestures are less common and hand gestures are preferred by auctioneers.) Per the hand, a simple raise of the hand with at least one finger extended should do the trick. Do what feels right and appropriate for you.

“How you bid is totally a comfort level thing,” Lowderman said. “You can simply raise your hand. That's up to you. But I do think it's important to have some connection there with the ringman and auctioneer.”

When bidding, it’s important to maintain eye contact with the auctioneer. This lets them know you’re still interested in bidding. Keep a visible line of sight between you and the auctioneer.

Bidders should also know other bidder signals. For example, pointing to your head or chest can ask the auctioneer if they still have you in the bidding. Conversely, the auctioneer is likely to acknowledge the bidder with an outstretched hand or nod of the head.

If a bidder decides to go for a knockout blow, and ramp up the bidding, they can merely shout out a higher number. They might also decide to raise the associated number of fingers to indicate their increased bid.

If a bidder progresses to the point they no longer wish to bid, they must also indicate this with a gesture. Usually, a simple shake of the head signals they’re out of the bidding. Other times, a lateral, low-hanging (not raised) left-to-right movement of the hand with fingers extended out can notify auctioneers of this, too. Also, although less courteous and less definitive, merely ceasing to raise a hand to signal your next bid, and offering no head or hand gesture to remain in the bidding, is usually enough to remove you from the bidding pool, too. Breaking eye contact is as well.

Ringman Hand Signals and Communications to Remember

Other hand gestures are used by the auction worker assisting the auctioneer. This individual, often referred to as the “ringman,” moves about the bidder crowd in search of bidders.

“I say this relates to comfort level, because as an auction team, I'm the auctioneer and I'll have another gentleman helping, which is referred to as a ringman,” Lowderman said. “I refer to that ringman as an extension of own arm. He's there more hands-on or face-to-face with that bidder.”

Typically, they’ll notify the auctioneer of each sequential bid. For example, they’ll raise a fist in the air and make an audible “yep” or “here” to indicate their bidder just raised it again.

“If you’re a buyer, you need to establish some kind of connection with that ringman or auctioneer,” Lowderman said. “This might be as simple as talking to him before the auction and saying, ‘Hey, I might be interested in this tract. Keep an eye on me or check with me before you guys sell out.’”

Bidding gestures can vary slightly by region, and even by auction house. If unsure, ask the auctioneer if they have any rules associated with the bidding process. Answer all questions and remove any doubt, before the auction starts.

Overall, non-verbal communication is important at auctions. When auction crowds are larger, it’s even more important to be obvious and deliberate with your bidding gestures. That said, if bidder privacy is preferred, consider more subtle movements, or have another individual serve as a proxy bidder.

Be Aware of Your Gestures, But Have No Fear of False Bidding

Some might fear that they’ll be mistaken as a bidder, when in fact, they are not one. Rather than be accidentally included, they’ll stand stone-statue-still and avoid eye contact like it’s the plague.

“You know, the old saying is, if I scratch my head or ear, they’re going to take that as a bid,” Lowderman said. “That's not the case whatsoever. We consider ourselves professionals, and we know when you are or are not making a bid.”

So, don’t be stressed out at the auction. You can still quietly whisper to the person beside you. A slight communicative head motion to the man or woman next to you won’t pull you into any false bidding scenarios. In short, seasoned auctioneers know the difference between bidding body language and non-bidding body language.

“We’re professionals,” Lowderman said. “But don't get me wrong. Like anything in life, when humans are involved, there can be human error. But if we feel something is not right or inappropriate, whatever the case may be, we're gonna correct that right then and there.”

In other words, it's important for everybody to be aware of their head and hand gestures. Be cognizant of body language, eye contact, and other important bidding-related moves. If not planning to bid, be respectful and don’t draw attention to yourself, which can distract the auction team from seeing those who are bidding. That said, by exercising awareness and caution, you can rest easy knowing you won’t be mistaken as a false bidder.

Be a Confident Bidder

Whether it’s your first auction, or your hundredth, show up and be a confident bidder. Know why you’re there, establish your auction plan, and execute your intentions. Follow proper hand signal protocol, and you’re sure to have a great auction experience.

For landowners looking to sell at auction, contact Ranch & Farm Auctions. We can answer questions and help with your auctioneering needs. For buyers hoping to purchase land, check out some of the upcoming Ranch & Farm auctions near you.

Published on 2025-07-31