It comes as no surprise that all kinds of backdoor dealings go into the games that make up the Spring Contests. A powerful family will frequently buy off a weaker family, with little chance of winning the overall contest, to throw a game in which they have a favorite, or even have the favorite lead the way and then pull up short in the end. Also, anyone with a connection to a family can participate for that family, so "ringers" are frequently hired by a family as an employee or marriages will be arranged strictly around fielding contestants for the Spring Contests.

In the last decade, horse racing has been added. It's a big draw, and of course is one more way for richer families to try to one-up other families. This last year, a horse trainer was brought in from Eckeron and married directly into a family in exchange for his services: instant promotion from a common upbringing to rich middle class. (He has a talent for horse >husbandry - a much sought after ability!)