The answer is: It depends.
If you have lots of competitors, then you may not be appearing on partner sites if you have a really low Max CPC - as only a limited number of ads show on each partner site.
On the other hand, if you have very few competitors, then you may appear on partner sites, even with a rock bottom Max CPC.
Am i not seeing any contextual deliveries because the bid is so low and they don't bother running it...
No, this is not the case.
It could even be something as simple as the ad not having been reviewed/approved yet. If an ad has not been reviewed/approved, then it will not appear on any partner sites at all, regardless of Max CPC, CTR, etc.
AWA
