two things. handicaps should be lessened, but not totally taken away. right now there is a high chance of a lower ranked player to beat a higher ranked player. it shouldn't make the game 'even' or a 50/50 chance, it should give the lower ranked player a chance, but not that much. they should have to work at it more.
as for 9 ball, i vote for no-bs 9 ball rules:
-a miss is a push, so you don't get stuck with crap after someone rattles a ball or misses horribly and leaves you snookered
optional rules:
-call pocket, call safety. can't safe while making a ball - results in a push.
this only gets rid of one shot which isn't used much anymore. the make a shot and shoot lightly, if you miss you get a safe, if not, you have a set. go for one or the other.
as for 9 ball, i vote for no-bs 9 ball rules:
-a miss is a push, so you don't get stuck with crap after someone rattles a ball or misses horribly and leaves you snookered
optional rules:
-call pocket, call safety. can't safe while making a ball - results in a push.
this only gets rid of one shot which isn't used much anymore. the make a shot and shoot lightly, if you miss you get a safe, if not, you have a set. go for one or the other.