Synonyms and related words :
artifice, behind-the-scenes influence, cabal, collusion, complicity, complot, confederacy, connivance, conspiracy, contrivance, contriving, counterplot, covin, deep-laid plot, devices, engineering, expedients, finagling, finesse, frame-up, game, influence, intrigue, little game, machination, maneuvers, manipulation, plot, plotting, political influence, rigging, scheme, schemery, scheming, stratagem, tactical maneuvers, tactics, trick, underplot, web of intrigue, wire-pulling