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The backdoor technique, also known as the six-finger plan, is a strategic move in Big Brother intended to evict a targeted player by ensuring they are nominated for eviction without having the chance to secure their own safety through a Power of Veto competition.
Background[]
Originally devised by Marvin Latimer and Nakomis Dedmon, and executed (and named) by Nakomis in Big Brother 5 (US), the move was officially called the "backdoor" during the same season by Marvin. The strategy requires the Head of Household to avoid nominating the primary target at the nomination ceremony. Instead, the HOH instead nominates two pawns, which helps prevent the actual target from being guaranteed a spot in the POV competition—a benefit when the target is a strong competitor.
Jase is the first person to get backdoored, during his stay on Big Brother 5 (US).
If the target does not get to play in the POV competition, and the Veto is used to remove a pawn from the block, the HOH can then nominate their real target as the replacement. The house then votes to evict the newly placed nominee. Fans generally agree that a true backdoor only happens when the evicted houseguest did not play in the POV competition, making this strategy only possible up until the Final 7, when there are enough players to exclude someone from competing.
Successfully executing a backdoor typically requires a tight alliance or a group of at least six cooperating houseguests, including enough non-HOHs and non-nominees willing to vote out the target. Pulling off the plan is difficult and relies on coordinated action across multiple stages.
Starting with Big Brother 7 (US), the process became riskier when houseguests drew Veto players at random, rather than being selected. If the target is drawn and plays in the POV competition, but does not win, they can still be nominated as a replacement; however, this does not count as a traditional backdoor since the target had a chance to save themselves. The randomness added an element of chance, making it more difficult to guarantee the target cannot compete.
In Big Brother 26 (US) and Big Brother 27 (US), the introduction of the Second Chance Challenge via BB AI Arena and BB Block Buster made backdoors tougher to land strategically. With three nominees getting an extra shot to save themselves before eviction, a would-be target could dodge the block, blunting the traditional backdoor and forcing the HOH to adapt with backup plans and tighter vote control.
Surviving a backdoor plan is rare but possible.
Some houseguests are notable for repeated involvement with backdoors. Cody Nickson of Big Brother 19 (US) was backdoored twice in one season: first by Paul Abrahamian in Week 2 (after which he returned by winning the Battle Back Competition in Week 4), and again by Alex Ow in Week 7.
According to a July 2018 analysis by Peridiam, between Big Brother 5 and Big Brother 20, the backdoor was used 30 times. Big Brother 17 features the highest count for a single season with four successful backdoors. Additionally, male contestants have been targeted more frequently, with 22 men versus 8 women being backdoored. Every season during that span saw at least one backdoor, except for Celebrity Big Brother 1 (US).[1]
Statistics[]
Survived Attempts[]
There have only been four contestants that have survived a backdoor attempt.
- Eric Stein - Big Brother 8 (US)
- Kryssie Ridolfi - Big Brother: Over The Top
- Christmas Abbott - Big Brother 19 (US)
- Nicole Anthony - Big Brother 21 (US)
Note: Paul Abrahamian (Big Brother 19 (US)) survived his attempt as well, but is not added to this list due to the fact that while he was on the block, no eviction vote took place. Paul was saved immediately by the "Pendant of Protection" that automatically made him immune via the Den of Temptation.
Seasons Without A Backdoor[]
There have only been two seasons that did not feature a backdoor during the season.
List of Backdoored Contestants[]
Notes:
- This list contains every contestant that was an houseguest that was evicted as a backdoor, regardless if they were the target or not and those who survived an attempt. Those who were not evicted as a pawn are not added.
- Every contestant on this list did not participate in the Power of Veto competition, was nominated as a replacement nominee, and was the HOH's target on eviction night, unless otherwise highlighted.
| Key: | Survived Backdoor Attempt | Backdoor Attempt Nullified | Backdoor Attempt Due To Special Save | Backdoored Pawn Evicted | Backdooree Loses Second Chance Challenge |
| Key: | Survived Backdoor Attempt | Backdoor Attempt Nullified | Backdoor Attempt Due To Special Save | Backdoored Pawn Evicted | Backdooree Loses Second Chance Challenge | Won Second Chance Challenge and Avoided Eviction Vote |
Trivia[]
- Nakomis Dedmon was the first to execute a backdoor plan, backdooring Jase Wirey in Big Brother 5 (US).
- Cody Nickson was the first to be successfully backdoored twice in the same season (Big Brother 19 (US)).
- Daniele Briones became the first to have multiple successful backdoors across multiple seasons (Big Brother 8 (US) and Big Brother 13 (US)).
- Frankie Grande was the first male and first overall to achieve multiple successful backdoors in a single season.
- Brittnee Blair was the first female and second overall to achieve two successful backdoors in a single season.
- Victoria Woghiren became the first to achieve two successful backdoors within the same Canadian season since BBCAN3, she remains the fifth overall.
- Vanessa Rousso was the third overall to achieve two successful backdoors.
- Miesha Tate became the fouth overall to achieve two successful backdoors, and first within the same celebrity edition.
- Brittnee Blair was the first female and second overall to achieve two successful backdoors in a single season.
- Big Brother 24 (US) was the first US season to reach four successful backdoors (Final 14, Final 13, Final 12, Final 8).
- Big Brother Canada 12 was the first Canadian season to reach four successful backdoors and second overall (Final 13, Final 12, Final 10, Final 9).
- Big Brother 13 (US), Big Brother 17 (US), and Big Brother 23 (US) were the first American seasons to reach three successful backdoors in a single season.
- Big Brother Canada 2, Big Brother Canada 3, and Big Brother Canada 10 were the first Canadian seasons to reach three successful backdoors in a single season.
- Frank Eudy was the first intended backdoor target whose eviction was cancelled, making this the first nullifying the attempt.
- He would be followed by Paul Abrahamian, was he was the first intended backdoor target to be ineligible to be nominated, second nullifying the attempt.
- They would be follow by Taylor Hale, whose eviction was cancelled due to Paloma Aguilar walking from the game. However, the backdoor may have failed regardless due to the Backstage Boss Twist.
- Eric Stein, Kryssie Ridolfi, Christmas Abbott, and Nicole Anthony were the first four houseguests to survive a backdoor attempt (one each).
- Marty Frenette was the first overall and first Canadian to have a pawn evicted instead of the intended backdoor target.
- Big Brother 27 (US) was the first season feature two failed backdoor attempts in consecutive weeks (both resulting in pawn evictions).
- Jimmy Heagerty was the first in Big Brother 27 (US) to oversee a failed backdoor via pawn eviction at Final 16.
- Lauren Domingue followed at Final 15 in the same season.
- Final 13 was the peak window for successful backdoors, alongside Final 12 as a co-leading round.
- The backdoor success rate is at about 91% when excluding nullified attempts, with 71 successes out of 78 eligible attempts.