MTGplay

[Cypherswipe]

Someone finally came out with a freeware clone of the interactive encyclopedia. It only works for online play and has no AI, but if you already have MtG:IE, it can use all the patches you already have. In addition, you can get patches for all the newer sets to use in mtgplay.
It's much more fully featured than apprentice, including more accurate card art and data. It also supports 3 and 4 players (it's rumored to support 6 players too), sealed decks, and netdraft. It's a larger download though, about 4+megs for the prog itself. If you don't have MtG:IE already, you'll have to download at least one cardset before you can play, each card set is between 6~14megs. To get all available cardsets, is about 400megs. Fortunately, you don't have to download all of them. As long as you and your opponent/s have the same set, you only have to download one.
I'm still trying it out, but it seems good so far. I prefer the interface of planeswalkers, but MTGplay is a good alternative for those who want to use newer cards, or who want to breathe new life into their old MtG:IE software.

The website is http://www.mtgplay.com
Some screenshots: http://www.themanapool.net/mtg1.html#b

Beats the hell outa forking out loads of cash to play MtG Online.