Most pros don't put on joint protectors because they expect to play again later. I'm no pro, but I only put on joint protectors on my cues when I transport them. In tourneys I've played in and on league nights, I show up, take off the joint protectors, put the cue together, and start playing. In between rounds, I either keep the cue together and play on a practice table, or I disassemble the cue and stick it in my case with no joint protector, because I have a match later. I only put the joint protectors on when I'm done for the day.