Magic: The Gathering's Aetherdrift set released in February 2025. Players are introduced several characters joining the Ghirapur Grand Prix, a race spanning three planes. To compete in the event, participants must select a reliable Mount or Vehicle to reach the finish line. Fascinatingly, Aetherdrift includes over 40 new-to-MTG Vehicle cards that align with the set's theme.

In my recent Commander's Herald article, The Six Best Vehicles from Aetherdrift, I cover Aetherdrift's best Vehicle cards for the Commander format. While Aetherdrift's extensive Vehicle card offering spans across all colors (and colorless), not all are Commander-playable. I recommend reading the article to learn which Vehicle cards you should focus on from Aetherdrift to add to your collection.

The math doesn't lie. Premium hands like JJ, QQ, KK, AA, and AK collectively occur in only about 3.02% of dealt hands. At a standard 9-handed table, 21.8% of the time, at least one other player will have one of these holdings. That means the majority of hands you play won't fit into the premium category. Sticking solely to the top 3% of starting hands would severely limit your profitability. Non-premium hands are everywhere. You either learn to handle them effectively or leave stacks of chips on the table.

Recognizing the Power of Deceptive HandsNon-premium hands like suited connectors, small pairs, and one-gappers hold unique value in multiway pots or against tight players. For example, 7♠ 6♠ can be a game-changer when played strategically. These hands flourish when they hit disguised straights or flushes. However, their success hinges on understanding board textures and proper preflop positioning.
Strategies for playing suited connectors emphasize leveraging their adaptability. Small pairs thrive on set-mining opportunities, while suited aces offer backdoor equity. Balancing aggression across these hand types keeps opponents guessing and makes them less likely to read your range correctly.

Hand Selection and Positional AwarenessNon-premium hands like suited aces (A5, A8 suited), suited connectors (8♠ 7♠, 10♣ 9♣), and middle pairs (88, 99) thrive with the right positional strategy. For instance:
- Playing speculative holdings from an early position often leads to postflop difficulties due to tight ranges acting behind you.
- Late position opens provide flexibility to include hands like suited one-gappers (J♠ 9♠) or even suited Kings (K♦ 9♦) to expand your range without becoming predictable.
Postflop aggression is particularly critical here. Deciding between slow-playing or fast-playing non-premium hands depends heavily on board texture and your read on opponents' ranges.

Balance and Exploitation Through Range ConstructionPoker solvers show that effective range balancing includes mixing in speculative hands at a proper frequency. For instance:
- Flat-calling in the big blind with hands like suited connectors or small pocket pairs to see multiway pots cheaply.
- Occasionally 3-betting suited connectors like 10♠ 9♠ or A5 suited preflop against wide-opening opponents adds deceptive value to your range.
Broadway hands like K♥ Q♦ shine in late position but can also serve as effective barreling hands on certain favorable boards. Mixing ranges this way can prevent exploitation by skilled opponents who target rigid tendencies.

Do Non-Premium Hands Create More Liability Than Opportunity?Some argue that relying on non-premium hands increases risk against stronger fields. Non-premium hands, by design, have less direct value and are more reliant on board texture and postflop maneuverability. Misplaying them often leads to falling behind in equity against tighter ranges.
However, others contend that over-reliance on premium hands makes players predictable. Balanced ranges with hands like small pairs and suited connectors in multiway spots create opportunities to win big pots when disguised straights, sets, or flushes emerge. The table dynamics and opponents' tendencies drastically influence the profitability of these holdings. Proper execution matters more than the inherent strength of the hand itself.

Building EV with Speculative PlayExpected value isn't built solely on AA, KK, or AK. Instead, long-term profitability requires constant assessment of equity and outs during a hand. For example:
- With suited connectors like J♠ 9♠ on a 10♦ 7♠ 2♥ flop, you calculate the equity of your open-ended straight against potential top pairs. Adjust your decision between a bet or a fold accordingly.
- Non-premium hands show their worth most in heads-up pots or against wide ranges where their disguised power becomes harder to counter.
Balancing profitability through these marginal spots adds incremental value over thousands of hands.

The Importance of Analytical AdjustmentsAdapting to player tendencies plays a huge role in maximizing the potential of non-premium holdings. For example:
- Tight players often overfold to barrels on high-card flops. Betting non-premium holdings like suited connectors allows you to steal pots from under-defended ranges.
- Loose-aggressive players inflate pots preflop. Patience pays off here. Non-premium hands, like small pairs, can hit disguised sets that dominate such players' overaggressive tendencies.
HUD statistics often show players who bluff at high frequencies or reach showdowns with mediocre ranges. Learning to adjust against these tendencies can turn non-premium hands into reliable profit-generators.

Tactical Folding with Non-Premium HandsOne of the most underappreciated long-term strategies is knowing when to fold subpar holdings. Disciplined folding saves critical chips on boards where an opponent's aggression signals strength incompatible with your speculative hand's value. For example, letting go of 88 on an Ace-high, action-heavy board protects you from spiraling into unprofitable situations.
Non-premium hands force players to refine their approach to the game's mathematical underpinnings. Assessing equity, pot odds, and expected value turns hands like 9♠ 8♠ or 88 into tools instead of liabilities. Over many hands, the incremental profit from strategically playing non-premium hands often outweighs the big wins from waiting on premium holdings.
Mastering non-premium hands is essential for long-term poker success. The real skill lies in effectively utilizing suited connectors, small pairs, and one-gappers to create dynamic strategies that confuse opponents. Positional awareness, adaptability to board textures, and balanced aggression are key to maximizing the value of these hands. Players can turn non-premium hands from potential liabilities into valuable opportunities by employing disciplined folding and making analytical adjustments, ultimately enhancing their profitability.

A recent experiment tried to find out whether women's relationships were affected by what they read in their horoscopes. It covered 46 female undergraduates who were randomly assigned to two groups. One got a horoscope with neutral love advice, while researchers gave the other a horoscope that contained positive advice. All the women completed a questionnaire about astrology awareness before and after receiving the horoscopes, with a month and a half between the two. Very few of them said they would change their behavior according to what they read. Questionnaire scores didn't change after the neutral advice and were very slightly higher after the positive advice.

Significance of the Sun Sign
However, astrology impacts communication styles in ways that aren't immediately obvious. Fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) are bold and direct, often using passionate and enthusiastic language. They value excitement. Earth signs (Virgo, Taurus, Capricorn) are practical and easygoing communicators, preferring clear, logical discussions over emotional dialogues.
Virgos get the most matches on dating sites: 8.91%. They're usually looking for a like-minded, consistent partner, which makes a fellow Virgo a great option. They are attentive to each other's needs as partners and happy to help each other. However, they tend to have trust issues, so letting their guard down is a process.
If you're dating a Taurus, you should approach conversations calmly and patiently. Tauruses take their time to process information. These people value an equally thoughtful approach to communication from their partners.
Air signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) communicate effortlessly and love intellectual conversations. They enjoy debates and thrive on mental stimulation. Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) express themselves emotionally and intuitively, preferring deep and meaningful discussions over small talk.

Mercury's Impact on Communication
Mercury, the planet of communication, significantly influences how people process and articulate thoughts. Astrology suggests that communication styles can differ depending on the house Mercury is in. The third house governs texting and written communication. The fifth house impacts public speaking, while the seventh house affects one-on-one communication. The eleventh house represents group interactions.
A Mercury in Virgo means the person is precise and detail-oriented, prone to overthinking. A Mercury in Sagittarius means they are optimistic and direct, favoring big ideas over nitty-gritty details. Being born with Mercury Retrograde signals that one's communication habits can deviate from the norm.
If Mercury is in a water sign (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces), the person will express themselves intuitively and poetically, especially in areas where the unsaid is as important as the said. As Water Mercury focuses on feelings, objectivity becomes difficult. If Mercury is in an air sign, thoughts tend to be analytical and logical, making conversations flow more easily but sometimes lacking emotional depth.

Venus Affects the Expression of Affection
Venus in Taurus prefers straightforward, steady communication to show commitment, while Venus in Gemini is flirty and playful, with a love of wordplay. Venus in Aries is not afraid to make the first move. These people know what they want and are prone to falling in love at first sight. If the partner doesn't move fast enough or meet their energy, they can lose interest and move on. Venus in Cancer is looking for the One, not a fling or situationship. They form deep bonds, but not before making others prove their devotion and earn their trust.
Venus in Libra enjoys romantic gestures and meaningful conversations. These individuals thrive on harmony and avoid confrontations that could disturb emotional balance. Venus in Capricorn takes a practical approach to love, expressing affection through actions rather than words.

Mars Governs Assertiveness and Conflict
Mars is the planet of anger, passion, assertion, and separation, and its placement in birth charts shows how a person pursues their objectives. Mars in Aries is quick to argue and to forgive, but in Libra, they avoid confrontation and seek compromise.
Mars in Taurus is a unique position. Taurus takes its time with all its activities, so as the planet of assertiveness, Mars doesn't express itself normally. Taurus is known for being a stubborn earth sign, while Mars is all about expressing one's will. This makes communication difficult.
Mars in Gemini is great at playing devil's advocate and possesses impressive debating skills. They can argue convincingly, even about things they only have a basic understanding of. They are quite agile with words and known for their sharp tongues.
Mars in Scorpio, however, expresses assertiveness intensely and passionately. They are known for their unwavering focus and ability to resolve conflicts with strategic communication. On the other hand, Mars in Pisces avoids direct confrontation and relies on emotional reasoning, often choosing to disengage rather than argue.
​
Conclusion
Astrology offers fascinating insights into how communication styles vary between individuals. While some may dismiss its impact, there are undeniable patterns in how people express themselves based on their zodiac placements. Understanding how elements like the Sun, Mercury, Venus, and Mars influence interaction can help individuals navigate conversations, resolve conflicts, and deepen emotional bonds in relationships. Whether you're dating a bold Aries, a methodical Virgo, or a dreamy Pisces, knowing their astrological tendencies can offer clarity in understanding their communication patterns. While astrology should not be used as a definitive relationship rulebook, it can serve as a useful tool for self-awareness and fostering better connections with partners. Ultimately, clear and open communication, regardless of astrological influences, remains the key to a successful relationship. By understanding different communication styles through astrology, individuals can build stronger, more fulfilling relationships with their partners, friends, and colleagues. If you are curious about your astrological placements, exploring them further may provide additional insights into how you express yourself and connect with others.

Longtime players of Magic: The Gathering may recall the early days of its infancy. In the 1990s, rules, mechanics, and gameplay were much different than they are today. Legends and Antiquities are two themed expansion sets from the mid-1990s with a wide range of design choices and playability.

Thankfully, some nostalgic cards from MTG's past still see play in the Commander format. My latest Commander's Herald article, The Nostalgia of Commander, covers several nostalgic and playable cards with more recent reprintings. If you have an interest in playing cards printed over twenty-five years ago that can help you win a game, take a look at the article.
​