The reason these tables are different is because there's nothing really valuable at the conference. Yes, you can "upgrade" your board game, for example by buying metal parts to replace the cardboard parts that came with your game. You might be able to double the price of your board game by making it fancy, but it's still not that expensive. There are very few games at convention that cost over $100, and a lot of games that cost $50 or less (all the games I bought were). The most expensive board game I know of is Kingdom Death Monster, 350 gems for the original box and precious metal chess doesn't count. Some of the all-inclusive Kickstarter promises are more expensive, but then you get tons of boxes, expansions, and thumbnails from the game. So how much money do you really spend on your board game hobby?
A board game table has one main feature: a low-key indoor play area, usually with some sort of soft covering, such as felt or neoprene. Advantages: The soft playing surface makes it easy to pick up cards or other playing objects and the fence around the playing field prevents dice or other playing material from falling to the floor. Of course you can do what I did and place the soft material playmat (I used Chesapeake Megamate vinyl) on a regular table and don't roll the dice too hard or use the dice tray. Personally, I sit at a board game table and find fences uncomfortable, especially when trying to play a game that requires you to write something down. I don't really understand what an expensive gaming table would do for my solution. So my only explanation is that people buy board game tables *because* they are expensive. Buy something really nice for yourself or impress a board game group. I decided I didn't need it. And with this money, which saved me from this decision, I will buy a board game for ten years.
