We do our break it runs different than virtually any other pool room I’ve heard of that has break and run contests along with their tournaments, and it has worked out great. Every tournament participant is eligible to enter for $5 per week which gives everyone who enters one shot at the break and run. We have a number of 9 foot tables that have different size/toughness of pockets, so the ranking of the player determines what table they have to attempt their break and run on. They must run all balls to win, even if they pocket the 9 ball early in the run.
The lowest rank players actually get to do their attempt on the most forgiving pocket tables, as well as being given ball-in-hand after their break and they are not required to pocket a ball on the break. The tables get progressively tougher as well as the rules getting tougher for higher ranked players. Our highest ranked players must attempt a 10 ball break and run on our tightest table - 4-1/8 inch corner pockets. This, in essence, handicaps the different levels of players and gives them all a close to an equal chance to successfully complete their break and run.
Break and run winners receive 2/3 of the total pot, with the other third being carried over to start the pot for the following week, thereby the pot is never completely wiped out. As the owner and tournament TD, I contributed $200 to the pot when we started, I have since reimbursed myself back my $200 after the pot was built up significantly.
