My understanding is that a wrap helps people with sweaty hands. Is there any other functional reason to have a wrap? Pros & cons?
I think the main function of a wrap is to keep your hand from slipping on the cue even when you use a light grip for a power shot. Linen is not very good for that purpose -- no wrap is better than linen. Rayon/nylon as found on some cheap cues is the worst.
A rubber wrap seems to be the best. That doesn't fit in well with some players' ideas of cues as art. I guess you have to choose between style and function.
Well, yes, if you want a slip stroke, that's understandable. Most people don't want the cue to slip during the shot. Slip stroke seems to be an aberration among a small percentage of pool players. It is not found at all in snooker or top-level carom. Personally, I think adopting a slip stroke is a mistake.With all due respect... I prefer the opposite.. I want my cue to slide easily and consistently... ...
Observing players at tournaments it seems there are some people who carry a towel and are wiping their hands between shots. One symptom of anxiety is sweaty palms and pool is an anxiety arousing activity. It is not necessarily a negative anxiety and may be arousing for some people, what Hans Selye called the "race horse" type of person.
Depending on individual preferences some sort of sweat absorbing material is probably of use to some players.
Many people in our culture have a negative association to “sweaty palms” and this is unfortunate. People have individual ways in which they cope with stress and one of these very normal reactions is to exhibit sweaty palms.
Some people become internally jittery under these circumstances. We usually cannot see the physiological result but it is there. Some people have to wear more deodorant than others. It is only a matter of human differences and not something that the individual should be overly concerned with. Bodily functions are just that, something to be coped with. If a sweat absorbing wrap can be used to make the problem less obvious in our judgmental society then such a wrap should be used for the comfort factor if for no other reason.
Well, yes, if you want a slip stroke, that's understandable. Most people don't want the cue to slip during the shot. Slip stroke seems to be an aberration among a small percentage of pool players. It is not found at all in snooker or top-level carom. Personally, I think adopting a slip stroke is a mistake.