Search for gaming furniture and you'll find two terms used almost interchangeably: "board game table" and "gaming table." But they're not the same thing, and understanding the distinction helps you find—and buy—the right table for your needs.
Defining the Terms
Gaming Table (Broad Category)
"Gaming table" is the umbrella term covering any table designed specifically for games. This includes:
- Poker tables
- Card game tables
- Casino-style tables
- Board game tables
- Wargaming tables
- RPG/D&D tables
When someone says "gaming table" without context, they might mean any of these. The term is broad and sometimes ambiguous.
Board Game Table (Specific Category)
"Board game table" refers specifically to tables designed for modern board gaming. These tables share common features that distinguish them from other gaming furniture:
- Recessed playing surface (the vault)
- Convertible dining function
- Accessory systems for cup holders, trays, etc.
- Premium playing surfaces for cards and components
- Residential-appropriate aesthetics
Board game tables are designed for the specific needs of hobbyist board gamers—people who play complex games, often over multiple sessions, in their homes.
Key Differences
The Vault
The recessed playing surface is the defining feature of board game tables. Poker tables have flat surfaces. Casino tables are purpose-built for specific games. Board game tables have vaults because:
- Games can stay set up between sessions
- Components don't slide off edges
- Dining toppers can cover in-progress games
- The rail creates natural player boundaries
If a table doesn't have a vault, it's probably not a board game table—regardless of what it's called.
Dual Function
Board game tables are designed to live in homes where they must serve multiple purposes. A poker table stays in a game room or gets folded away. A board game table is everyday furniture that transforms for game nights.
This dual function requirement shapes everything: aesthetics (must look like nice furniture), construction (must handle daily dining use), and features (toppers, rail systems, finishes).
Accessory Ecosystems
Board game tables typically include accessory systems—rails or mounting points for cup holders, dice trays, component storage, and more. These modular accessories address the varied needs of different games and players.
Poker tables might have built-in cup holders and chip trays, but they're fixed and game-specific. Board game tables offer flexibility because every game session might have different requirements.
Surface Materials
Poker tables use speed cloth or felt optimized for cards. Board game tables use neoprene or similar materials that work well for:
- Picking up cards easily
- Rolling dice without excessive bounce
- Moving miniatures and tokens
- Protecting game boards
- General durability across many game types
The surface needs to work for everything from Wingspan to Warhammer, not just one type of game.
Other Gaming Table Types
Poker Tables
Designed specifically for poker and card games. Features include:
- Kidney-shaped or octagonal designs
- Padded rails for arm comfort during long sessions
- Speed cloth playing surfaces
- Built-in chip trays and cup holders
- Often foldable for storage
Great for dedicated poker nights, but too specialized for general board gaming.
Wargaming Tables
Designed for miniature wargames like Warhammer. Features include:
- Large, flat surfaces (4×6 feet or bigger)
- Terrain-friendly materials
- Often modular or terrain-integrated
- Usually no vault (terrain sits on top)
- Dedicated game room pieces (not dual-function)
If miniature wargaming is your primary hobby, these specialized tables make sense. For general board gaming, they're overkill.
RPG/D&D Tables
Designed for tabletop roleplaying. Features might include:
- Built-in TV/monitor for digital maps
- DM-specific sections or screens
- Extensive storage for books and materials
- Individual player stations
These tables optimize for RPG-specific needs but may not work as well for board games or dining.
What Should You Buy?
Buy a Board Game Table If...
- You play a variety of modern board games
- You need dual dining/gaming function
- You want games to stay set up between sessions
- Aesthetics matter (it's in your main living space)
- You value flexibility over specialization
Buy a Different Gaming Table If...
- You primarily play one type of game (poker, wargames, RPGs)
- You have a dedicated game room where aesthetics don't matter
- You don't need dining functionality
- You need features specific to your game type (built-in screens, terrain integration)
Marketing Confusion
Be aware that marketing doesn't always use these terms precisely. Some sellers call any gaming-related table a "board game table." Check the actual features:
- Does it have a vault? How deep?
- Does it convert for dining?
- What accessory options exist?
- What's the playing surface material?
Features matter more than labels. A table marketed as a "gaming table" with the right features might be exactly what you need, while a "board game table" without a vault isn't really one.
The Bottom Line
Board game tables are a specific category of gaming furniture optimized for the modern board gaming hobby. They share key features—vaults, dining conversion, accessory systems—that distinguish them from poker tables, wargaming tables, and other gaming furniture.
Know what you need, check the features, and don't be fooled by marketing terms. The right table is the one that matches your gaming habits, space constraints, and aesthetic requirements—whatever it's called.
Arcadian is a board game table in the truest sense: 10cm vault, precision dining toppers, magnetic rail system, and furniture-quality aesthetics. Built for modern board gamers who want it all. See how it works.