A technique for early movement. One side moves within an agreed dollar range each round; the other responds at an agreed ratio. Either side can stop at any time after a round is complete.

When to use it

Useful early, when the gap is wide and the usual pattern — small move, small move, stall — is likely to burn the morning. Agreeing the shape of the movement in advance replaces arguing about each individual step.

How it works

1. Defendant proposes a move-size range for the Defendant (for example, $25,000–$50,000 per round), and the parties agree.
2. Plaintiff proposes a ratio at which the Plaintiff will move (for example, 3:1) given a move within that range, and the parties agree.
3. Alternate moves. Defendant moves within the range; the Plaintiff responds at the agreed ratio.
4. Stop at any time. Once Defendant moves, the Plaintiff must respond — then either side may decline to continue.

Example — a gap of $600,000

Plaintiff at $700,000  |  Defendant at $100,000

The ratio does most of the work. Agreeing it at the outset tells both sides roughly where the process leads, which is often the information that makes the technique acceptable to each of them.

Moves are visible to both sides as they happen. This is not a confidential or blind technique.

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