I was discussing this winners-break format with Keith McCready, and he said one format to consider would be mandatory pushout after the break, even if you pocket balls. Whatever ball is next to shoot after the break, even if you pocket a ball on the break, you must pushout to your opponent. If the opponent does not take it, then you can keep shooting. It goes something like that, at any rate. If you don't make any balls on the break, then your opponent must pushout on the 1 ball. I'm not quite sure how it works or if this is the exactly what he said, but it would make the game more of who's the best shot-maker instead of who's the best break mechanic or what rack is used. Just a thought.
I'm not bitching. I like it when a player like Shane runs a 5-pack twice in a row, leaving his opponent benched. The first time he did it, Francisco Ruiz managed to win the match. It was intense and fun to watch.
And the best, best, best commentators in the booth this Open for me is Nick Schulman and Jeremy Jones. Wow! I was hanging into every single word these two were saying. It was informative, fun, and made the match more exciting. Nick Schulman is very comfortable in front of the microphone, as is Double J, and the fact that he knows pool games well, the strategy, and its players makes Nick a perfect fit. Nick and Jeremy both complement each other in the booth with their back-and-forths. It was great. I hope Matchroom continues to use Nick. He's a shoe-in!