An easier and way cheaper alternative would be simply for Aramith to come out with a pool ball set the size of snooker balls. Then just make the snooker table "the" action table. After all, once the 10 footer evolves into a run out snooze-fest isn't the 12' table going to be the likely solution anyway?
Perhaps you took my words a little too literally. Sure there are players capable of running out a set, Earl and Shane being two of them. Heck, Earl ran a 10 pack with a LOT of money at stake. But at any professional tournament it is rare, very rare. Special enough that if it was getting close to happening the entire crowd would probably move over to that table to witness it.
And when it does happen it is probably one of the most exciting things that could possibly occur.
And this is my point. Earl played better than Shane. As you say, "you have to play good to win, period."
I personally think that with the talent of professional players today if 10' foot tables were the standard it wouldn't be long before the game would be the close to the same as it is now. After all the pros adjusted to the new standard the performance at most tournaments would look closer to what we see now on 9 footers than what we saw over the weekend at this match.
Having this match take place on a 10 footer, and the effect it had on two great players, was very interesting and I'd like to see it again. But I believe part of the reason it was interesting and had some effect on how they played was due to the unusual conditions they faced. If it was the norm it wouldn't be an unusual challenge and therefore wouldn't have that much of an effect on their performance.