To have the best chance of winning an eBay auction you have to be online about 15 - 20 minutes before the auction end and have been at least watching the item if not actually bidding on it. Get the page up, check the bidding times (by pressing the bids button) to see if there is any current activity. If there has not been a recently timed bid, you will be pretty safe just to top it, but enter a higher maximum bid just to make sure. If, however, there is evidence of recent bids, you will have to be prepared to be nimble-fingered & keep calm to outbid your opponent(s). The safest way is to top the bid and also put a high maximum bid in, as well as going over the enter bid price by a penny, fivepence or any odd amount you like. Every minute or two press the refresh button to see the latest bidding activity & if your maximum bid is topped, repeat the above. Eventually when you press the refresh button you will read auction has ended & who has won. If you really want the item (& can afford it) & if you keep your nerve, the winner should be you. Good Luck!