I just did a dissertation on how Texas Express came to be the accepted tournament rules for 9-Ball on another thread, so I won't get into all that again. Suffice to say that it was the Caesars Tahoe events of the early 80's that really spelled the end of "push out" pool in major tournaments. In the ensuing years "one foul BIH" became the accepted way to play 9-Ball, even in money games. Was I against this change, you bet! But I didn't have the final vote, Richie Florence did. And by the way, he was a great player, using the old rules. He was also a smart businessman and wanted to attract the largest television audience possible. It was all working until the players boycotted against him at Caesars Palace in 1984 (or '85).
Interestingly enough, the best players (Earl, Sigel, Buddy, Nick, Kim) continued to win major tournaments with the "new" rules. The cream will always rise to the top, no matter the rules or the format of the event. I'm a firm believer that the players with the most HEART win the big matches, and it ain't about the rules. Both players must adapt to whatever rules are being used. It's always been the guy who can come with the big shot under pressure who wins the big matches. Lesser players will dog it a little. I've been seeing this same scenario unfold for a million years. That's my opinion for what it's worth.
No question, Push-Out is a more difficult game to play and so is One Pocket, which is ten times as tough as Push-Out 9-Ball. But will all the major tournaments ever be One Pocket, no way. And there is a good reason why. The audience won't allow that to happen. They want to see fast and loose One Foul 9-Ball or Ten Ball. IMO Ten Ball should use exactly the same rules as 9-Ball, Texas Express. Why not, it's just as hard (or harder) to make the ten ball on the break, and there is no more luck at the highest level either. Plus the two way shot is a great part of pro pool, so why get rid of it? Again no one asked me for my vote....except in the Bigfoot Ten Ball Challenge, where I get to do it my way.