[Applying Theory] Building a Deck: the Draw

In each and every deck there is something people are trying to achieve. The ways to achieve this are to hope for some luck, grab something specific, or get a handful of 'junk' until you get what you need.
In order to make a new deck, you will require a "frame" as it were; a way to get what you want to work, into your hand so it has it's time to shine. Too often I see people around my area trying to make a pretty cool deck and when I examine it I see one major problem. That problem is a lack of draw.
The few decks that could theoretically survive on top decking alone are few and far between, and these decks barely exist anymore thanks to cards that stop their super speedy nature (see: [card]Chalice of the Void[/card], [card]Trinisphere[/card]).
Some people have come acrossed forms of draw so powerful that there is a restriction or even banning required to keep these cards from destroying the very format we are trying to expand. (see: [card]Necropotence[/card]).

Now a day there are several preferances when it comes to draw engines. There are card combo's that allow for the draw and there are key elements that should never leave any deck. Here are some of those options.

[card]Intuition[/card] + [card]Accumulated Knowledge[/card]
One of my personal favorites, this allows for a faster draw system the second this draw combo is put toghethor. Simply put 2 of your friendly AK's in the graveyard and place the 3rd in your hand, you have an instant speed draw that will net you 3. Tutoring or drawing into the fourth AK also allows for a Meditate strength draw with no penalties. I have noticed that this is mostly popular for heavy control builds. However, in a mirror it can become a double edge or an even bigger draw if they are running the same engine. The use of intuition was orignally as a tutor that was double edged, you couldnt guarantee what you wanted to get, with AK, you get what you want, an AK in hand, with the extra two in the yard, you get MORE out of your AK, no question asked.

[card]Brainstorm[/card] + Fetchland
Brainstorm is a preferrance by itself in almost all decks I can think of running blue. The addition of 'fetchies' make for an easy shuffle away of any currently uneeded materials for future use. Brainstorm can also protect your strong cards from cards like [card]Duress[/card] and [card]Cabal Therapy[/card]. The fact that it costs so little also makes brainstorm a popular first turn play for counter heavy decks to maximize their hand quality.

[card]Thirst for Knowledge[/card] + [card]Goblin Welder[/card]
The style in which this is considered a draw combo is somewhat sketchy. Thirst is a great card by itself, netting you 1 or 2 much needed cards. With Goblin Welder, you can essentially lose nothing. Just discard some artifact you need extremely bad and bring it back just as fast for the win. This card is said by some to be on the Watch List, I could see it myself getting restricted but I wouldn't count on it yet, this card is gold but it hasn't reached its maximum capacity yet. Only time will tell. Also worth running with TFK is [card]Deep Analysis[/card]. The use of both analysis and welder with TFK is that it turns a card penalty into an outright bonus.

[card]Bazaar of Baghdad[/card] + [card]Squee Goblin Nabob[/card]
This engine is a less popular one run by TnT and some other Welder/Dragon friendly decks as of late. The simple procedure is to get 3 squees in your hand, and essentially draw 2 cards for nothing whenever you like. I also know one person who teams this with [card]Library of Alexandria[/card] for a "Draw 3 discard 3 effect" in his Psychatog build. No an efficient way to handle bazaar but we may never know what makes a deck go.

[card]Survival of the Fittest[/card] + [card]Squee Goblin Nabob[/card]
Turning a loss of advantage into a speedy kill is always great. With this combo you search for squee and then get everything you'll ever need for the kill, probably the slowest draw engine but also very consistent as all you need to draw is the survival and your on your way. The only other problem besides the speed of this engine is that your deck has to be creature based, not a serious problem but it can add for trouble if your opponent plays a [card]Humility[/card] or something else hateful.

[card]Academy Rector[/card] + [card]Yawgmoths Bargain[/card]
Possibly the best engine for combo decks like Trix and such, the only problem is drawing into the bargain or graveyard hate (which seems to be rampant; thank you dragon) With this all you need to do is get out a rector then kill it, how you do that is up to you but I'll give you a clue (in case your not so smart) [card]Cabal Therapy[/card]. This method however seems to be turning up less and less these days, people are running more reliable decks in place of Rector based ones, though it's not saying they are all gone yet.

Restricted Draw[/b]
[card]Fact or Fiction[/card]
Is it worth it now that this can only be a one-of. There have been topic after topic on this card and it is 50-50 in most peoples eyes. This will generally net you 2 - 3 good cards, 1 awsome card, or 4 cards of okishness (a new technical term) Don't even start if you hit a [card]Yawgmoth's Victory[/card] with this card.

[card]Gush[/card]
One of the old favorites of GAT. (well DUH!) This card still is run in some GAT but I don't see it too much more since it was only good really as a four-of with [card]Fastbond[/card] Now it is just another card, most people would rather run a wish or something.

[card]ANCESTRAL RECALL[/card]
Ok, the plan with this is very[/u][/i] simple. Run it, no questions asked, find room if you run blue. That is all.

Of course there are plenty of other engines and to list them all it would take me forever and a day, and there definately more restricted cards worth mentioning, but this is just to inspire thinking. Get your new decks out there. Just because you use the same way as another person to get card advantage doesn't mean your not running an origninal deck. Good luck to you and happy building.