Why do xiangqi players slam the pieces down?
These answers restate the rules implemented by our open-source engine, which follows the WXF laws and is regression-tested against the official 110-diagram repetition casebook. Where an answer refers to a specific position, that position lives on the linked reference page, where the build verifies it against the engine before publishing.
Direct answer
In park and teahouse play, a hard slap of the piece is ordinary expression — emphasis, not aggression — and so is a crowd of onlookers offering loud advice. Formal tournament play is the opposite: quiet, touch-move, no kibitzing. The two cultures coexist and it is worth knowing which one you are in.
Park play conventions
Expect commentary from spectators, rapid moves, and very little clock. Onlookers advising a player is normal and is not considered cheating in casual play, though it is firmly not allowed in a rated game.
Money games exist in some places. If you are visiting, watch a few games before sitting down.
Formal play
Tournament rules are what you would expect: touch-move, a clock, silence, and an arbiter for disputes. Illegal moves are penalised. Adjudication of perpetual check and chase is a real part of arbitration, and having read those rules is more useful than in chess.
Related questions
Is touch-move used in xiangqi?
In formal play, yes. In casual park play it is usually relaxed.
Should I announce check?
No. It is not required and is not customary in serious play.
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