Assuming you're right handed, use your left hand for a bridge...use your right hand to drink with. I actually have a terry golf towel I clip to my case. I also see more and more players wearing a "panty" (pool glove) on their left hand.
For the shaft...2000 grit works. Another good fine sandpaper to use is the stuff they sell in hobby shops for modelers. The ultra fine grit placed on a thin plastic sheeting. I don't sand often because I keep my hands dry. I also wash & dry my hands often when playing. I also wax the shaft with a pure carnauba...NOT a cleaner wax. This helps protect the wood from moisture.
A grocery shopping paper bag is a good source for a burnishing material...
All of the online billiard supply houses sell a ton of shaft & tip care products...so, some internet browsing is in order. Here's the offerings of one supply place I've used:
https://www.seyberts.com/pool-cue-shaft-care
Oh, steam works to raise the wood to remove minor dings. Place a damp paper towel over the ding, touch with a hot chunk of metal, like a bolt head, SSSteam.
The steamed area may actually swell higher than you like, so then the 2000 grit comes into play.
Nearly any large population area has people who are good at cue repair...replacing tips, smoothing shafts, etc. It's good to know one of these guys.
Money games only create bad vibes for me. To some people money games are life itself. I'd advise being careful there.