@dbwool:
I see much discussion on the boards about bidding. Can someone explain it?
Bidding is a method used to even out the game. Many people realize that the Axis are underpowered at the start of the game, primarily due to the rate of income for the allies. In Axis and Allies Classic it was common to see bids of 25-27 IPCs for the Axis and those IPCs were immediately converted into units to be placed on the board BEFORE Russia’s first turn.
5-7 Infantry in Ukraine was a common site. It all but prevented Russia from taking Ukraine on their first turn and, if Russia and England did not play right, could cost the Allies the game in 3 or 4 turns.
In Axis and Allies Revised we see bids much closer to the 7-9 IPC range, since much of the disparity of income was evened out on the new map. Both Germany and Japan start earning more money (13 IPC more to be exact) and only America earns more money (6 IPC more) and the Axis start with more units then before and the prices have been adjusted to give players more aptitude for building different units without it costing the game.