There was a definate split when Wizards changed the way the cards looked when they made the 8th edition.
I agree with Raven, casual play was the coolest feature rafts are fun but they suck the money from you. Problem with casual was you had these card sharks that had uber netdecks that could beat you with these combs that made you helpless. The auction room was fun too, once you learned your way around. When you found fair and honorable players, i really made the match quite enjoyable.