The reason these tables stood out was that there wasn't much else which was really expensive at the convention. Yes, you can "deluxify" your board game, for example buying metal coins to replace the cardboard coins your game came with. But I saw those offered at €10 for 30 coins. You could probably double the price of your board game by deluxifying it, but that still isn't all that much money. There were very few games at the convention that cost over €100, and a lot of games were €50 or under (all the games I bought were). The most expensive board game I know of is Kingdom Death Monster, at $350 for the core box, if you don't count chess sets made out gems and noble metals. Some "all in" pledges on Kickstarter are more expensive, but then you get multiple boxes full of games and expansions and miniatures. So how do you spend really big money for your board game hobby?

Board game tables have one main feature: A lowered inner play area, usually with some sort of soft covering, like felt or neoprene. The advantage is that a soft play surface makes it easier to pick up cards or other game components. And the railing around the play area stops dice or other game components to fall to the floor. Obviously you could do as I do and put a soft material game mat (I use a Chessex vinyl Megamat) on a regular table and just not throw your dice all that hard, or use a dice tray. Personally I sat at a board game table and found the railing to be uncomfortable, especially if you want to play a game where you need to write something. I really couldn't see what advantage an expensive board game table would provide over my solution. So my only explanation is that people buy board game tables *because* they are expensive. Either to buy something really nice for yourself, or to impress your board game group. Me, I decided I don't need one. And I'll be buying board games for a decade with the money that decision just saved me.