Finders Keepers by Roy Walton

The Complete Walton Vol 1. by Roy Walton 1981
Page 37 et seq.

Personal Comment: Why, why is some Walton stuff so dry? This is. Sure the technical construction is brilliant. But the structure of how the effect unveils seems unbearable to me. Hopefully in some others hands (besides those of Mr. Walton) this could be good. I fail.

Difficulty 3/5

Common Wealth Collectors by Allan Slaight

Apocalypse by Harry Lorayne
Volume 17, Number 2 February 1994
Page 2317 et seq.

Personal Comment: Needlessly complicated, that's for sure. Check out The version by Jim Surprise and Roberto Giobbi. Much better. You can also work in the little extra that is present in the above routine to get a much cleaner version. Personally I don't think the initial switch is that deceptive, even if executed properly. The ATFUS is the way to go in my humble opinion.

Difficulty 4/5

Card Collection by Roberto Giobbi and Jim Surprise

Card College 4 by Roberto Giobbi
Page 1002 et seq.
Page 945 et seq. in the German Edition

Personal Comment: This is the version I've been using in a regular performance. It is straight to the point, practical and fairly easy. I changed the whole selection part of the routine. In the book it tells you to take out the selections one by one from the middle, spinning it out of the deck. Not only do I have trouble doing that, I also think that in terms of structure this kills my personal pacing. I want to show all the selections at the same time. So I added the switch which works fine in the routine and is nicely covered in the action of picking up the kings. This works much better for me and my somewhat chaotic nature as I perform. Almost forgot. I changed the ending too. In the book version the four aces (not kings) are placed on the deck and vanish instantly only to reappear in the middle of the deck having caught the selection. I like the effect that the selections rise to the top, getting trapped by the kings. Again just me.

Difficulty 3/5

Flushed Collectors by Murray Bonfeld

Apocalypse by Harry Lorayne
Volume 7, Number 3 March 1984
Page 891 et seq.

Personal Comment: Actually fun to do, Fun to watch is another story. I guess if gambling themes are yours this might be for you. Not for me, but it was fun to do. And the setup is bearable too.

Difficulty 3/5

Snap Collectors by Phil Goldstein

Focus by Phil Goldstein 1990
Page 18 et seq.

Personal Comment: This is a combination two things I like. The collectors which is a plot I love and Snap Differential, which is part of my repertoire. Naturally I should like this. Well I do not. The Snap Differential tricks has the beauty of being a "just watch" trick. Collectors is a "you got to remember stuff" trick. Putting it together loses the beauty of the "just watch" aspect. Sorry, not my thing.

Difficulty 3/5

Choice Flesh by Phil Goldstein

Focus by Phil Goldstein 1990
Page 23 et seq.

Personal Comment: Honestly... I don't like this one. It is a strange hybrid between, collectors, the interlaced vanish, cannibal cards and the princess card trick. It feels half baked. But it terms of method this is good.

Difficulty 3/5

Dazzling Interchange by Geoffrey Latta

Richard's Almanac by Richard Kaufman
The Collected Almanac (Vol.1 No.10)
Page 82 et seq.

Personal Comment: This is where my inability to cheat on camera shows. I suck at doing passes and culling is not my cup of tea either. But those who are great at it might find this routine incredibly nice. I did it for regular people and with proper misdirection this is a strong routine. I can recommend it.

Difficulty: 4/5

Recollectors by Jon Racherbaumer

Richard's Almanac by Richard Kaufman
The Collected Almanac (Vol.1 No.Summer Extra)
Page 103 et seq.

Personal Comment: The routine really takes a lot of time to get to the point. I don't like that. And is the effect really that good? Something bugs me. I don't like this one.

Difficulty: 3/5

All You Have To Do Is Watch by Edward Marlo

The Legendary Hierophant by Jon Racherbaumer
Page 173 et seq. March 1970

Personal Comment: Well it's collectors without selection. I see a serious advantage concerning the pace. As no selection is taken there is no "deader time". ("Dead time" is time where no magic effect happens. "Deader time" is the time where not even stuff happens that would lead to the magic effect.) Personally I love this in terms of method. Really straight forward and easy to get in to. And because the deuces appear face down within the face up collectors the feeling of separation is still maintained. I think.


Difficulty: 3/5

Ambush by Roy Walton

The Legendary Hierophant by Jon Racherbaumer
Page 181 et seq. Nov. 1970
also in:
The Complete Walton - Volume 2 (1988) page 34 1988

Personal Comment: I cannot get the third cut to work properly according to the text. Not my thing. And I honestly don't really see that much of an advantage to use odd colored backs for the collector cards. Personally I like the collectors by Jim Surprise. But I heard that there are Walton fans out there who could explain to me why odd colored backs are better.

Difficulty: 4/5