I would distinguish between an "opener" and "Attention getters." Most of these are openers-- the first routine you do that hits hard. An attention getter is something that steals everyones attention and gets them to look at you-- I would LOVE if we had a video just on attention getters as this is the hardest part of close up by far. Typically I do my fire wallet as attention getter, especially in loud enviorments. Then I do a $1 to $100 as my opener. Attention getters-- Fire Wallet, Appearing cane, and any one liners.
I think Kolossal Killer is a strong opener from my experience. I love it. I’ve also opened strolling sets with 2 card monte. Both are very strong openers.
Gregory Wilson's Fist full of Dollars is fantastic. I had bought it over a year ago and forgot about it-- found it in my account last month. Such a fantastic coin routine!!!! I also like to open with a coin effect when doing walk around. For card effects, Chicago Opener just always fries people as an opener for cards.
David Stone does a walkaround version of Red Hot Mama. It is totally doable, you just need to have a spectator hand as a table or use your coat handkerchief pocket as as holder.
Chicago opener is even better standing though. Instead of placing a talbe or in the spectators hand you can drop it on the ground, it wont flip around if you just drop it. It's really strong cause the card is so far away from your hands on the ground.
I know it wasn't featured on penguin magic but The Mentalist / magician Spidey put out a tutorial on his RU-vid channel called the most incredible card trick you ever learn which is a variation on the Chicago opener and it is amazing!
At number five they lumped together all of the bill transformations. Hundy 500, Heiny 500, Real Change, Extreme Burn 1.0, Extreme Burn 2.0, Extreme Burn 2.0 Locked and Loaded etc.
