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Here's a very inexpensive answer.

Try out Magic Workstation.

It's an online program that doesn't cost a cent. Once you download it, you'll have every Magic card at your disposal to make decks that you can play online against other players.

How to download
1.) Click 'Magic Workstation' or go to www.magicworkstation.com to get to the homepage.
2.) Click Downloads.
3.) Download the program.
4.) Go to the MWS Game page HERE, and download the Card Database. (It says up to Future Sight, but you'll get tenth in a nother step)
5.) Install Magic Workstation to program along with the database. (In that order)
6.) Find the program file you installed it to, and click on 'Autoupdate MWS' to get 10th.

For instructions on how to use the program go HERE

How exactly do you play the game?

A1. I had that problem too! If your playing in big groups like I do at college alot of groups have their own way of translating the very confusing rules of magic. There really is no way to fix this I suggest you read all the rules your self to get a better understanding of them and if something someone you play with says sounds off..call a Judge..I have one on speed dial!

A2. The only time I EVER buy cards is when I draft, everything I main deck at the moment though I haven't bought my self twas given to me as gifts. Not buying your cards saves you alot of money but that also means you have no choice on whether you get something you need or not.

A3. My decks also I am told are too large, but do not fear young one it's okay! Technically there really isn't a card limit but most players play with forty to sixty cards, the reason your probably told yours is too big is because the more cards you have the less chance you have of getting the cards you need. Decks such as drawing decks or this really evil deck based around Twilights Call are okay decks to have a large number of cards mainly because their all about drawing and discarding. In Unhinged there is a card that says if you have 200 cards in your deck you win. (Unhunged though is not legal in normal game play) So don't worry about teh size of your deck, if you seem to never be getting teh cards you need have someone experienced look through your deck and tell you what you might not need in it, that's helped me alot.

A4. Don't worry the rules may seem a little funky but once you get a genius in to translate them their not so bad, alot of places though don't use all the rules. The way my group and I play we have one set of rules we use for tournaments and one we use for just regular playing, we have specific rules we use when Two Headed Dragoning and drafting and such. Practice and more experience with magic will help you in learning the different interpretations of rules we have now and those to come.

A5. As soon as my friend joins and if someone else hasn't helped you yet I'll ask her to help you. Until recently I was only using Blue and White. She main decks Red and Black so she has more experience with building red and black decks.

i'm new to Magic The Gathering, but i know a little about playing. I have played my first game at my local game shop but still need a little more exp.

I have bout 8-9 years experience under my belt and i've taught a few people in my day if you need any help ask me.