I got in the habit of watching an item and bidding the highest amount I willing to pay at the very last minute. It then took the others time to bid and re-bid, trying to find where my top bid was until the auction cut them off. Of course if I was still outbid, that item was far too overpriced than i was willing to pay.

More often than not, top bidders can get complacent and think they dont have to watch their bid at the very end of auction.. thats when the fun starts. ;Dr;