Igniting unity through a timeless card game

In the latest episode of Youth Power, titled "Igniting New Year's Eve: A Flavorful Twist Beyond the Dinner Table," I had the chance to play guandan with peers from Indonesia, Malaysia, and the United States, introducing them to this classic Chinese card game.

The game involves four players forming two partnerships, seated opposite each other. Armed with a deck of 108 international playing cards, including singles, pairs, straights, full houses, and bombs, the players will try to skillfully play increasingly higher combinations, aiming to empty their hands before their opponents can.

Playing guandan — literally translated as "throwing eggs" — is a tradition in my family during Spring Festival. Every year on Chinese New Year's Eve, after the family dinner, my grandpa would exclaim, "Time for guandan!" And just like that, our cherished family tradition began. We eagerly took our places around the table, ready to dive into the thrilling card battle.