Is there any issue that they cannot be used as the main mechanism for a RPG? I can see issues with players thinking the DM has a either unlimited or truly limited amount and therefore bet high all the time.
The only issue I can see most of the time is how to limit the bidding resource wither it be dice, poker chips, or points/pips.
To prevent this a base starting pool mechanic should be used. Say if using dice, have everyone have a base of 3 let's say d6 (just for example). The other issue is how/when to have these base pools regen/refill. Do you do it after each turn, encounter or session. The regen/refill rate will give you an idea of how large to make the pools. If after every turn make it a smaller pool (again like maybe 3d6).
As for the GM side . . . limit the GM to similar pools as the players . . . but with the addition that it is per npc the GM is controlling at that time. So if the Gm is running three hackers each hacker will have the base pool.
Another idea is to allow players to increase dice pools by a leveling component. Say every 3 levels gain +1 to their pool.
Again I'm using dice for an example, but the idea is similar to any other bidding pool.
Check out Realms of Lore (RoL) at the RPGLabratory. (Rules) (1st Adventure) (2nd Adventure) (3rd Adventure)
I have played around with a system where players have default values to their actions and a number of "bonus" chips that they allocate each round. Everyone allocates and then reveals them at the same time. Actions are then resolved using the new values.
While this was for a robot gladiatorial board game, I don't see why it could not be used for an RPG.
When all you have is a gun that fires windows, every problem looks defenestratable.
A man walks into a bar one day and asks, "Does anyone here own that Rottweiler outside?""Yeah, I do!" a biker says, standing up. "What about it?""Well, I think my chihuahua just killed him...""What are you talking about?!" the biker says, disbelievingly. "How could your little runt kill my Rottweiler?""Well, it seems he got stuck in your dog's throat!"