The sealed bid auction mechanic in board games refers to an auction where each player submits a bid without knowing the bids submitted by other players. The bids are then revealed and the highest bidder wins the item being auctioned. This type of auction is used in board games to create a level of uncertainty and to encourage players to think carefully about the value they place on the item being auctioned.

In sealed bid auctions, players may bid any amount within a certain range, and the winner is usually determined based on the highest bid. The sealed nature of the bids means that players cannot change their bids in response to other players’ actions, which can create tension and add an element of strategy to the game.

Sealed bid auctions are often used in board games that involve bidding for resources, goods, or properties, and can add an element of economic strategy to the game.

Here are ten popular board games that feature auction mechanics, which may include sealed bid mechanics:

1. Power Grid: Players bid on power plants in a series of sealed auctions, with the winner being the one who bids the highest. The game involves resource management and economic strategy.
2. Ra: Players bid on sets of tiles that represent different aspects of Egyptian life, such as farming, religion, and warfare. The highest bidder wins the set and uses the tiles to earn points and gain advantages in the game.
3. Modern Art: Players bid on and sell different styles of art in a series of auctions. The goal is to earn the most money by selling paintings for high prices and collecting bonuses for being the biggest patron of different artists.
4. For Sale: Players bid on properties in a series of sealed auctions, then sell those properties in another set of auctions. The goal is to earn the most money by buying low and selling high.
5. Keyflower: Players bid on different tiles to build up their village and resources, then use those resources to bid on other tiles and gain points. The game involves strategy and resource management.
6. High Society: Players bid on luxury items in a series of sealed auctions, trying to acquire the most impressive collection of items without spending too much money.
7. Medici: Players bid on sets of goods to acquire and sell in a series of auctions, trying to accumulate the most points over three rounds.
8. Amun-Re: Players bid on different territories in Ancient Egypt in a series of auctions, then use those territories to gain resources and build monuments. The game involves strategy and resource management.
9. The Estates: Players bid on properties in a series of sealed auctions, then build buildings on those properties in another set of auctions. The goal is to earn the most money by buying low and selling high.
10. Airlines Europe: Players bid on different airline companies in a series of auctions, then use those companies to build routes and earn points. The game involves strategy and resource management.

One example of a board game that uses the sealed bid auction mechanic is Modern Art. In this game, players are art collectors bidding on paintings by contemporary artists. Each round, players place secret bids on the paintings up for auction, and the highest bidder wins the painting. The value of the paintings changes over the course of the game, so players must continually re-evaluate their bidding strategy based on current market conditions.

In Modern Art, the sealed bid auction mechanic creates an element of uncertainty and strategy, as players must weigh the risks and benefits of bidding high or low, and try to anticipate what their opponents are willing to pay for each painting. The game requires careful consideration of the value of the paintings and the players’ resources, and rewards players who can make the most profitable investments in the art market.