By and large, genius strategies on Big Brother that are now so common that fans forget there was a time when they didn't exist.
While there might be some controversy over who should be credited with what strategy, there are a few players who had an influence on how the game of Big Brother is played, either on their own or with the assistance of others.
Nakomis Dedmon (Season 5)
The backdoor strategy was effectively invented by Nakomis in this game, who, as part of the Pinky Swear Alliance—one of the most entertaining alliances in Big Brother—came up with the idea. Called the Six-Finger plan, they would nominate two people in their own alliance, thus guaranteeing one of them would win the veto, take someone off, then put up an enemy on the block at the eleventh hour.
It was only later that this was named the backdoor strategy, and it continues to be used. What's more, it was because of this strategy that Big Brother changed the rules so that the Veto players would be chosen by random draw.
Dr. Will Kirby (Season 2)
Fans believe that the entire idea of lying in the game to get further was invented by Dr. Will. Many players before him and during his season focused on secret alliances, good social games, and winning competitions as a means to get far.
Dr. Will showed that, sometimes, when money and competition are on the line, it's okay to lie. While some might argue that his lies crossed lines, Dr. Will can be credited with inspiring every villain that came after him. Some also credit Dr. Will for inventing the concept of alliances in the game in general.
Jun Song (Season 4)
Not only is Jun historic in that she was the first BIPOC winner of the game, but she was also the first "floater" to win before the word floater had been used in the game. While, in recent seasons, floaters are described as those who fly under the radar and don't do much in the game, kept week after week because they aren't deemed threats, in Jun's case, it really was a strategy.
True floaters quietly work in the shadows, aligning with everyone and no one, sharing and absorbing information, and using that to their advantage. Jun was not only the first person to successfully employ this strategy, but she was also successful in it, paving the way for other floater winners who came after her such as Andy Herren.
Dan Gheesling (Season 10, 14)
Time and time again, players come into the game hoping to be that season's "Dan," who is one of the best winners ever of Big Brother. Their desire to try to come up with elaborate plans and clever strategies are largely the result of Dan's actions.
Dan came up with manipulative but genius plans like holding his own funeral and throwing his ally under the bus in front of everyone without notifying her he was going to be doing it to ensure a genuine reaction. It was all part of strategy to make people believe they were no longer working together. While so many players have attempted to emulate his gameplay, it remains legendary and aspirational for future players.
Every Member Of The Cookout (Season 23)
Season 23 of Big Brother is a historic one, as six of an alliance called The Cookout made it to the end together. As the only black players on the season, they decided to band together from week one and never wavered.
Aside from working together to guarantee that the reality show would crown its first black winner ever, The Cookout, comprised of Xavier, Kyland, Tiffany, Hannah, and Derek F., they used a genius tactic whereby they each had someone outside of the alliance to whom they were close and would be willing to sit on the block with. It's likely this strategy of a main alliance with each member having their power duo will be employed by others going forward.
Danielle Reyes (Season 3)
Not only did Danielle, one of the most likable players on Big Brother, play the game flawlessly, making it to the end without ever being nominated, but she also was the first to have a super-secret alliance with someone that no one knew about; she and Jason were seemingly on opposite ends of the house, but they would meet to share notes, and no one had a clue they were working together.
But, the most influential thing about Danielle's time in the game was that it was her loss that led to jury sequestering in future seasons. It was largely because the jury were able to go back and watch episodes that they bitterly voted for Lisa to win over Danielle. It became apparent that jury needed to remain cut off from the secrets of the game before casting their votes to allow for a fair outcome.
Janelle Pierzina (Season 6, 7, 14, 22)
Known as a "comp beast" in the game because of her ability to win competition after competition, Janelle proved that this was a strategy that could actually work in the game. It was because of Janelle and her repeated wins that players began looking at "comp beasts" as a threat.
This meant that, as soon as a player was identified as a comp beast, they were either taken out early or selected by someone or a group in the house as a "shield" to protect them in an alliance. What's more, it's because of players like Janelle that threatening parties started to throw competitions on purpose to avoid being singled out for their competitive prowess.
Hayden Moss (Season 12)
The success of The Brigade Alliance influenced female players after that season to try and form all-female alliances. Britney, who had some of the best diary room session quotes on Big Brother, seemed genuinely hurt when they revealed the alliance to her and solidified the fact that she would be next to go home as the last competitor, female, and non-Brigade member standing.
It put a fire in female players to come, resulting in some female-led and all-female alliances, both successful and not.
Marcellas Reynolds (Season 3)
Even though he was an early evictee who was also a fan favorite on Big Brother, Marcellas' decision to not use the Veto on himself and then being voted out immediately after made every player realize that anyone with a Veto necklace around their neck who is on the block should use it on themselves, no matter how safe they feel.
There was no structural game change due to this flawed move, which was one of the worst veto plays in Big Brother history, but there was a mental change in how players viewed the Veto and its value.
Eric Stein (Big Brother 8)
Eric was the first player to be dubbed "America's Player" where he had to complete various tasks that viewers voted on, and that would earn him cash prizes. While this initially seemed like a great position to be in, it quickly became evident that the moves Eric was forced to make cost him the game.
The America's Player twist never returned, and it might very well have been because based on Eric's situation. Anyone given the option in future seasons probably wouldn't take it for strategic reasons, realizing they could be forced to damage their personal games and send allies home when they didn't actually want to.