> <<<
didn't intend to have a drink at reasonable intervals, and
> to tip for that>>>
>
> I never never play at an open bar if the same game is
> available at another location in the casino.
> Unfortunately some slot managers don't always provide me
> that option. Should I not play these machines if my
> level of dehydration does not meet or exceed the bartender's
> expectations?
>
Certainly, unless they have a posted policy to the contrary, it's your right to sit wherever you choose to play video poker or slots, and it's your right not to order drinks if you really don't want any. And I agree 100% that taking a seat at the bar when the same game is available elsewhere is a good choice, and I agree 100% that it's not your fault if the best game available is only available at the bar (I've found that only in one case, when 9/6 Jacks or Better was available throughout the casino, with some banks being progressive for the royal, and with the bar's bank of progressives being the highest).
Personally, I wouldn't do that for more than 30-45 minutes and feel comfortable (and my "comfort" might extend for a longer period if the progressive was really high that time!), and having said that, once you're sitting for a longer time and ordering something, what constitutes having a drink at "reasonable intervals" is purely a personal judgment call -- and for me, that's especially true in light of the fact that I never drink alcohol when playing video poker, unless I'm planning to leave momentarily (which is often because I'm tired) and am NOT planning to drive right away (ie, I'm at a casino where I'm either taking a cab, walking, or going up to my room at the casino's hotel). So, with not much alcohol, I really do feel like I'm being somewhat courteous to the bartender by ordering a soft drink, comp or not (especially if it's not, since it would usually be comp'ed at a floor machine), and tipping $1 or $2 for his/her tolerance of my using a seat
in a way that might reduce his/her income (it's not my job to guarantee good customers for the bar by giving up my seat, but it's also not my job to do the opposite if I can reasonably avoid it).
It's similar to the situation at a restaurant where I'm finished eating (and the rest of my group) and we're deciding whether to just nurse our coffee (or drink) and have some more conversation -- if there are people waiting to be seated, I'd move the conversation elsewhere; if not, I'll feel free to sit and visit. And if the server continues to serve (water, coffee refills, etc) when I'm obviously not ordering anything more, I will likely show my appreciation with an increase in the tip.
I think most people try to be considerate of the other person's point of view; if the player doesn't do so, while that's their right to choose, I feel differently, and if the employee doesn't choose to be considerate of the players' situation, I am likely to recognize their intolerance with reduced or absent gratuities, if not an overt confrontation over their lack of a "service" attitude. Part of a service job is getting tips, and part of it is living with it gracefully when you don't get what you think you deserve.
--BG
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