Actually, this is a very good post, because it underscores, with an entertaining level of sarcasm, the fact that these little arguments won't be the difference in whether pool can be sold to the general public.
That said, though, these arguments, in the eyes of pros and others who are very serious about pool, pertain to the assurance of a fair playing field in today's pro competitions.
I've contended for about twenty years that the pros need to be playing the one and only game that people who are not serious about pool know (that would be 8-ball) if they hope to sell the game to the widest possible audience.
Glad you like it. 8-ball would probably be better, I agree, but there's still the break problem. Make it so the breaker shoots again even without making a ball, and we've got a watchable game. My guess is a pro with the break would win something like 70 to 80% of games this way, which is near the percentage of games won by the server in tennis (80% I think). Alternate break, win by two, and multiple sets.
Good things about pro 8-ball, in addition to being the game everyone knows
--Runouts get harder with each ball, not easier.
--You have to commit to a run-out pretty early on, you can't usually duck halfway through. Makes it interesting, more decision-making.
Still, the idea that discussing problems with the break in 9-ball is "whining" is wrong. Pro 9-ball is broken. If it weren't you wouldn't get people talking about how the only true test is a race to 100. Even the "powers that be" implicitly acknowledge that 9-ball is broken by changing the break rules over and over.
The only reason it's played the way it is now is tradition. Here's a question. Suppose 9-ball was traditionally played such that the breaker doesn't need to sink a ball to shoot again. Do you think anyone in their right mind would be suggesting to change this, to add a huge piece of luck and make the most important skill being able to figure out how to read the rack and pocket the wing ball? No.
BTW here's another little anecdote about the watchability of pool. I kinda have a habit of trying to force my non-player or casual player friends to watch pro pool, either streaming or accustats dvds. Surprisingly, I've actually found that a lot of non-pool-junkie people prefer watching one pocket to 9-ball. Small sample, and my friends lean in the scientific direction, so maybe that's why the complexities of 1-pocket are appealing. But still.
I'm probably one of the few people on this board that actually thinks pool has the potential to be a mainstream spectator sport. It's got a lot going for it. Unlike golf, you can capture everything perfectly on TV. There's already precedent for mainstream cue sport success with snooker in the UK. And, if you find the right game, it's exciting and also very skillful. Obviously changing rules or games isn't going to solve everything overnight, but if I "whine" it's because I actually believe that the watchability of 9-ball is severely hindered by the overwhelming importance of the break.
just sayin
After that, it's down to whoever's got the best dump. :sorry: