The thing about verbal contracts is that although they are enforceable, all parties still have to stipulate the facts and submit those facts as evidence.

In a sense, a verbal contract literally becomes written once there's a dispute to adjudicate. This is great because it avoids paperwork for simple agreements, only requiring such paperwork when there's a dispute. Verbal contracts cannot be argued until they are entered into evidence.

Judge Judy: Did you verbally agree to build a wall for the defendant in exchange for chickens?
Plaintiff: Yes.
Judge Judy: Did you verbally agree to give chickens to the plaintiff to the in exchange for building a wall?
Defendant: Yes.
Judge Judy: Did you build the wall?
Plaintiff: Yes.
Judge Judy: Did you give chickens?
Defendant: No.
Judge Judy: Why not?
Defendant: It was just a verbal contract.

That would be an invalid argument because the verbal contract was agreed upon and stipulated on the record.

I have a hard time imagining a scenario where all of the parties stipulate the facts related to the pre-mined stake situation, much less enter them as evidence for a trial.