Nine ball with alternate break brings the cream to the crop in men's pool. At the 2006 BCA Open, the last three were Souquet, Reyes and Archer. At the 2005 BCA Open, the last three were Hohmann, Archer and Immonen. The rack is hardly randomizing the results at America's most international nine ball event.
Although, as a fan, I personally prefer ten ball because it places a greater emphasis on defense, kicking and two-way shots, I see this change to ten ball as largely inconsequential.
The change from nine ball to ten ball in the final year of the Camel Tour was largely inconsequential and went largely unnoticed by the fans and was hardly celebrated by the pros.