# Hybrid auction

> A live auction in which bids are taken at the same time from the saleroom, telephone lines, absentee orders and online bidders, all competing on the same lots in real time.

- URL: https://www.selloff.auction/glossary/hybrid-auction
- Language: English
- Also known as: Multi-channel auction
- Last updated: 2026-10-07
- Français: https://www.selloff.auction/fr/glossaire/vente-hybride.md

## Definition

A live auction in which bids are taken at the same time from the saleroom, telephone lines, absentee orders and online bidders, all competing on the same lots in real time.

Hybrid auctions widen participation but demand discipline: the same bid increments on every channel, clear rules of precedence, reliable connections and careful reconciliation afterwards. Each bid should keep its origin so that results and platform fees can be checked.

In Selloff, every bid carries its origin (room, phone, absentee or a named platform), and reports such as the results checklist and the hammer price reconciliation help close the sale cleanly. See our guide to [running hybrid auctions](https://www.selloff.auction/articles/running-hybrid-auctions.md).

## Related features

- [Live auctions & online bidding](https://www.selloff.auction/features/live-auctions.md): Run the room from the auctioneer's console and take live online bids through Selloff Live Auction, with every hammer price recorded in Selloff.
- [Absentee & phone bids](https://www.selloff.auction/features/bid-recording.md): Record absentee, phone and OR bids in the book, check them against your bid increments, confirm them to clients by email and print the bid book for the room.
- [Bid import from platforms](https://www.selloff.auction/features/bid-import.md): Bring bids, results and registrations from Drouot, Sixbid, Numisbids, Philasearch, Biddr and Excel files into your sale, with contact matching and a review step.

## Related terms

- [Live auction](https://www.selloff.auction/glossary/live-auction.md): An auction conducted in real time by an auctioneer, with lots offered one after another and bids taken as they come, in a saleroom, online or both.
- [Telephone bid](https://www.selloff.auction/glossary/telephone-bid.md): A bid placed live during the sale by a client on the phone with a member of the auction house's staff, who relays the client's bids to the auctioneer in real time.
- [Online bid](https://www.selloff.auction/glossary/online-bid.md): A bid submitted over the internet, either in advance (a pre-bid) through the auction house's website or a bidding platform, or live while the sale is taking place.
- [Absentee bid](https://www.selloff.auction/glossary/absentee-bid.md): A written instruction left with the auction house before the sale, authorising it to bid on a lot on a client's behalf up to a stated maximum. The auctioneer executes it as cheaply as competing bids and the reserve allow.