The reason you watch the auction count down from the bid history page is that it loads faster and gives you a more accurate idea of when the auction is going to end.

-The next step is to enter your Maximum Bid amount and click "review bid." Check the confirmation page to be sure that your bid amount is correct; if it isn't, hit the "back" button and make corrections

- Now resize your windows and move them around so that you can see the high bid amount and the time left on the auction as well as the "place bid" button on the bid review window.

Now it' just a matter of waiting the last few minutes and hitting refresh button as the time counts down. The last 10 seconds are when you want to submit your bid. Once your bid is submit you will either see "congratulating you won" or "you've been out bid". If you really want to get into it you can also do this last step with a stop watch. The benefit of using one is that you can figure out how long it takes for your page to refresh and then place your bid in the "real" last 10 seconds. But if you are going to get this involved you might as well invest in a auction bidding program that will snip for you.