Contestant #1 Bid $500, Contestant #2 Bid $600, Contestant #3 Bid $700, Contestant #4 Bid $701
ARP = $2499.
Contestant #4 = "dick"
Contestant #1 Bid $500, Contestant #2 Bid $600, Contestant #3 Bid $700, Contestant #4 Bid $2300
ARP = $2499
Contestant #4 = "Not a dick"
What's the difference?? It's all perception only. Contestant #4 was going to win either way. The only difference is that, for about 2 seconds, Contestant #3 has the PERCEPTION of a chance at winning (until the ARP is revealed). In reality, it doesn't matter.
Are you a dick if you one-upped someone, but you BOTH overbid, and someone else won because they bid lower than you both?
The reality is, if the goal is to be closer than anyone else and get up on stage to win a prize, then why feel bad when you employ a strategy that maximizes your chances of winning?
"Oh, I'm not going to $1-up you because I'm a nice guy", and you can just sit there and watch as Ethel plays for a car or a metric crap-ton of cash.
I think I'm a nice guy, but I'm sorry, Ethel. I want to win, too. If $1-upping you is what it takes, then so be it.