You've got the basic order right. Here are a few other details. Bagged fish and plants are grouped by type and displayed for bidders to inspect. Runners use their judgment to select the next item up for bid. I'm told they tend to "mix it up" so there are not long stretches of similar items. Finally and perhaps most important in your case, anyone may purchase a "bump-up" which gets applied to the item of your choice. This moves it to the front of the line, short of any other bump-ups in the queue. This year a bump-up was $2 (I've only been to the one auction). In fact, my wife and I used a bump-up on an item we wanted. It was auctioned within 10 mins after. EDIT: more auction info is at https://www.pvas.com/auctions The most pertinent info to your question is at the very bottom of the page.

Hi Matt! Welcome. I'm new as well and interested in breeding. I definitely don't have room for 20+ tanks sadly XD. I can confirm the auctions are worth the trip. Lot's of interesting fish and plants, right in bags for you to inspect/buy. I got a starter colony of endlers at this most recent auction.

My wife and I are really looking forward to auction! We're definitely interested in casual live-bearer breeding in a 10-gallon. I suppose we're most likely to purchase culls/mixed since we're new to the hobby. But who knows, we may see a trio of fancy ones and go for broke! Is there anywhere else on the forum I should post to encourage folks to bring Endler's to the auction? Thanks! Dave