I think that every time event producers think about the players before the viewers, the game takes a step backward. It is a mistake pool made for decades and, at long last, Matchroom is leading the way in attending to the needs of the fans more than to those of the pro players.
For twenty-five years, I've heard several predict that 10 ball would wipe 9ball of the map. In truth, 10ball is still a fringe game and will always be a fringe game as long as these ridiculous shootouts are allowed to decide the semifinal of a sanctioned world championship.
There is just one great 10-ball event on pro pool's calendar and it is called the Bigfoot. Played Texas Express with a shot clock and no shootouts, 10ball is a great game.
Still, I will give the World 10ball this. As we have learned at the Mosconi Cup, fans love short races because the importance of every shot is magnified. Still, if double hill matches at the Mosconi were decided by a shootout, I'd probably stop attending.
There IS room for this format if they get rid of these silly shootouts.