Thanks for the replies, sounds like "American rules" would be the same as
house rules in pool.
No. There are, or at least were, "official" rules for the American version.
As Mr. Jewett pointed out, sadly, the game is only a fading memory in
almost all of the country. Unfortunately, many of the few tables available
in commercial venues have been bastardized for gaffe games like Golf and
Indemnity.
In fact, I would say the difference in rules is not all that significant,
ball-to-a-rail as in pool, and what happens when a player fails to contact
the 'ball on'.
More important - IMHO - is the difference in equipment. American tables
have smaller pockets with much more rounded pocket openings which
make potting more demanding. The ball is also a bit larger, adding to the
difficulty of potting.
BTW - back in the golden days of poolhalls, there were plenty of
6 x 12 American tables around.
Dale(longing for the good ol' days)