On a high-speed train bound for Suzhou, a passenger is intently practicing the card game "Duan Dan." He works as an investment promotion officer for a provincial-level development zone and is on his way to visit an electronics technology company.

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Recently, an investor’s “stand-up comedy” routine has gone viral.

He remarked: “I’ve learned a lot of new things this year—I learned to drink to secure projects, and I learned to play Dian Dan to raise funds…”

Amid China’s wave-like economic recovery, corporate investment has become cautious and risk-averse, forcing government investment promotion officers to take their efforts to new heights, each coming up with unique strategies to uncover promising projects.

No one knows exactly how this card game became so popular, but in financial and investment circles—where fundraising, investment, and entrepreneurship are key—"Duan Dan" is indeed gaining traction.

On a high-speed train bound for Suzhou, a passenger is intently practicing Dian Dan. He is an investment promotion officer from a provincial-level development zone, traveling to visit an electronics technology company.

Walk into a restaurant in Jiangsu, and you’ll typically find a round table for dining and a separate square table for playing Dian Dan.

Until this round is finished, the waitstaff must wait a bit before serving the food.

"Duan Dan" originated in Huai'an, Jiangsu, and has since gradually spread to other parts of the Yangtze River Delta. Whether visiting relatives and friends or engaging in business negotiations, playing "Duan Dan" at the dinner table is a common occurrence.

There’s a saying that goes: “If you don’t play ‘Duan Dan’ before a meal, it’s as if you haven’t eaten at all.”

An investment promotion officer remarked, “Understanding local culture is an essential communication skill when attracting investment.”

Just like drinking beer with clams in Shandong or the "Bopeng" dice game and tea culture in Fujian, this isn’t about any specific investment promotion technique—it’s simply a traditional social custom with Chinese characteristics.

Before visiting a company, investment promotion officers not only research industry trends, corporate strategic planning, and internal terminology, but also often familiarize themselves with the local culture and social environment in advance, striving to adapt to local customs and politely bridge social gaps.

In the Yangtze River Delta, “Duan Dan” serves as a social icebreaker.

The rise of “Duan Dan” is not only tied to regional culture but also points to the private economy of the Yangtze River Delta—a region with a large and active community of entrepreneurs.

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But why "Duan Dan" in particular?

The rules of "Duan Dan" are simple, and the game isn’t overly competitive, so players inevitably have to engage in conversation during the game. Even if the topics aren’t work-related, they are highly beneficial for building relationships.

Additionally, a game of Duan Dan lasts just the right amount of time.

By the end of a game, you can quickly become acquainted with strangers, and even exchanging WeChat contacts feels as smooth as silk—making it the perfect tool for breaking into new social circles.

After all, what friendship is stronger than that of “card buddies”?

A business development representative from Jiangsu noted that Dian Dan is one of the few compliant activities that effectively extends the time spent communicating with superiors. With a deck of cards in hand, there’s no awkward silence when words run dry.

The card table is also a great opportunity to gauge people’s true nature. Since Duan Dan is played in pairs, it reveals a person’s competitive tendencies, cooperative spirit, and strategic mindset more clearly than other card games.

Some are conservative, some are aggressive, some are straightforward, and some are cunning… After a few rounds, one can grasp an opponent’s fundamental character without a word.

This allows business development professionals to assess an entrepreneur’s personality and determine the most effective communication strategy moving forward.

Of course, not everyone is enthusiastic about Dian Dan, but everyone has a need for social interaction. The emergence of Dian Dan has made social gatherings feel less forced and more warm and friendly.

A manager at a Shanghai-based unicorn company said he plays Dian Dan with industry peers every week, primarily to exchange industry information.

He noted that previously, when they simply dined and chatted, there was always a certain awkwardness. Dian Dan is more interactive, and people are willing to share more when they’re in a more relaxed state.

It seems that learning to play Dian Dan can help build connections with entrepreneurs in the Yangtze River Delta. “Those who don’t know how to play are clamoring to learn, just so they can sit at the same table with those who do.”

But does knowing how to play really guarantee a seat at the table?

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Using Dian Dan as a “stepping stone” isn’t that easy, though.

You can’t play Dian Dan on a first meeting. If you’re sitting down to play cards together, it proves the relationship has progressed further than just sharing a meal.

Entrepreneurs’ time is precious. Whether highlighting industrial strengths or demonstrating sincerity in investment promotion, investment promotion staff must make a strong impression during the first meeting to even have a chance to play Dian Dan later.

However, not everyone believes it’s necessary to sit down at the card table.

“It’s all just a fad.”

A recruitment officer from Guichuan United revealed that in Jiangsu, playing Dian Dan is as commonplace as eating and sleeping—hardly anyone mentions it specifically. Currently, the craze for Dian Dan—from financial circles to investment promotion circles—stems from the fact that it remains a novelty outside the Yangtze River Delta region, with most people only just becoming acquainted with it.

A member of an investment promotion team stationed in the Yangtze River Delta remarked, “These anecdotes are just for entertainment—don’t take them too seriously… Everyone knows that what truly matters is focusing on industrial chains and project implementation services, and doing our core job of attracting investment well.”

“It’s perfectly normal to play Dian Dan to relieve stress from time to time, but I don’t think we should deliberately pander to this hobby just to compete for projects in the Yangtze River Delta—not now, and not in the future.”

Everyone understands that, as a social tool, Duan Dan is merely a quick icebreaker to build rapport. The reality of investment promotion is far more complex than a 108-card game; whether a project ultimately materializes depends on substance, not social tactics.

In any field, the key to success is professionalism. All an investment promotion officer can do is continuously learn from experience and hone their skills. Even when there’s no perfect move in the entire game, one must lay the groundwork carefully, step by step.

They must maintain a broad perspective, manage their cards flexibly, and strike proactively when the time is right.

As someone working in investment promotion, I certainly hope for a tool that allows governments and businesses to communicate more directly and purely—skipping the fluff and focusing solely on the project. However, Duan Dan is certainly not up to the task.