# Auction Duration & Hammer Time

GBM auctions can run for **minutes or days** — the seller sets the duration.

### 🔨 What is Hammer Time?

Hammer Time automatically extends the auction when a bid is placed near the end — just like an auctioneer calling:

*“Going once… Going twice…”*

This feature prevents sniping and keeps bidding fair.

### 📊 **Example: Hammer Time set to 20 minutes**

* **30 min left** → A bid is placed → No extension
* **10 min left** → A bid is placed → Timer resets to 20 min
* **5 min left** → A bid is placed → Timer resets to 20 min again

The auction continues as long as new bids come in during the Hammer Time window. If no new bids are placed in that window, the auction ends.


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.gbm.auction/how-a-gbm-auction-works/auction-duration-and-hammer-time.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.