Does the Crokinole playing surface material really affect the gameplay?
When considering whether &quot;upgrading&quot; your board, you want to consider how it will impact your enjoyment of the game.
Enjoyment of the game is impacted in a few ways:
Gameplay:

A hard, smooth, level, and slick surface allows for accurate shots and purer deflections that allow advanced players to use &quot;angles&quot; better then lower quality surfaces.
The rigidity of the posts, and cleaner cut 20 hole provide more consistent bounces and 20 point hits.
A solid, thicker play surface combined with a taller rail supports having harder shots being trapped in the ditch rather than bouncing back on to the play surface disturbing the remaining pieces.

Longevity:

Stained and urethaned wood or composites are less susceptible to moisture, wear and tear and are less likely to warp and/or lose their shape over time.   Quality crokinole boards are frequently considered desirable heirlooms and can be enjoyed pass down other generations

Presentation, Aesthetic and Ergonomics:

Many owners of high quality boards consider them artwork or attractive furniture.  Over hung on a wall or displayed on a stand, the boards are often conversation starters: you are more likely to play.
Placing a substantial and attractive board on a table with high quality discs definitely changes the look, feel, sound, and even smell (esp a freshly waxed board) that engages players more than a smaller cardboard playset.

If you enjoy crokinole on small cardboard set, and think that this is a game you would be playing for many years, you might consider a handmade board a form of investment.   Its not uncommon for players to point to the size and price point of a quality crokinole board as reasonable alternative to a billiard table or shuffleboard table.