O. Henry Selections by Jim Swain

Richard's Almanac by Richard Kaufman
The Collected Almanac (Winter 1985)
Page 384 et seq.

Personal Comment: I suck at doing half passes, but if you don't this might be for you. The effect is clear and the ending provides a nice kicker. Here is a little tip, don't do the routine with brand new cards as I did. It becomes very difficult doing so.

Difficulty: 3/5

Yours, Mine And Ours by Jim Swain

Richard's Almanac by Richard Kaufman
The Collected Almanac (Winter 1985)
Page 387 et seq.

Personal Comment: I sort of like this. Easy to do, although... I need to hold my right hand in a odd position during the main move. Otherwise it would flash. I guess big hands help with this one. The effect is clear and it has a fulfilling climax. I changed a tiny bit about the ending. According to the books, one of the kings would be put in the center and the remaining one would turn into an ace. It bothered me that one got treated in a non magic fashion. So I made both kings transform into one ace. Like an upgrade if you will.

Difficulty: 3/5

Preset by Jim Swain and Geoffrey Latta

Richard's Almanac by Richard Kaufman
Volume 1, Number 7, March 1983 Page 62 et seq.

Personal Comment: It takes practice to get the double buckles and the triple buckles right, but it is well worth the hard work, as it really is a nice effect. And it is quite practical too. Just get them out of the deck and go on. The effect is ungimmicked which means no extra work adding and getting rid of any gimmick. I like it.

Difficulty: 4/5