You’ve seen the confetti. You’ve heard Julie Chen Moonves give the "but first" of the century. But honestly, for most fans sitting on their couches, the real climax of the season isn't who the bitter jury picks. It is the big brother afp vote.
That moment when the host pulls out a separate envelope to name America’s Favorite Player (or Houseguest, if we’re being technical) is the ultimate validation. It’s the show’s way of saying, "The houseguests might have hated you, but we loved watching you."
And let's be real—the money isn't just pocket change anymore.
The Evolution of the Fan Favorite
When the prize first started back in Big Brother 7: All-Stars, it was a modest $25,000. Janelle Pierzina took it home because, well, she’s Janelle. For years, that $25k was the standard "consolation prize" for the person who played hard but fell just short.
Things changed in 2021.
Starting with Big Brother 23, the stakes jumped. Now, the winner of the big brother afp vote walks away with $50,000. That is a massive chunk of change. To put it in perspective, the runner-up of the entire season usually gets $75,000. If you win AFP, you’re basically making "second place money" without having to survive the final two interrogation.
📖 Related: Gwendoline Butler Dead in a Row: Why This 1957 Mystery Still Packs a Punch
How the Voting Actually Works
If you’re trying to figure out how to cast your ballot, it’s pretty straightforward, though CBS loves to tweak the UI every summer. Usually, you head over to the official CBS website or the Big Brother voting page.
You get 10 to 20 votes per day, depending on the season’s specific rules.
A common misconception is that you need a paid Paramount+ subscription to vote. Kinda true, kinda not. While the live feeds are behind a paywall, the big brother afp vote is almost always open to anyone with a free CBS account.
Expert Tip: Don't dump all 20 votes at once on the first day and forget. The voting window usually opens during the final week of the season. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
The "Tucker Effect" and Breaking the Rules
For the longest time, there was this unwritten rule: you had to make the Jury to win AFP. If you went home pre-jury, you were basically forgotten.
👉 See also: Why ASAP Rocky F kin Problems Still Runs the Club Over a Decade Later
Then came Big Brother 26.
Tucker Des Lauriers didn't just break that rule; he shattered it. He was evicted on Day 45—long before the jury started—yet he won the big brother afp vote by what was likely a landslide. It proved that the "edit" and the "vibes" matter way more than your placement in the game. Tucker was chaotic. He won competitions. He played like he was on 10 cups of coffee.
America rewarded the entertainment value, not the longevity.
Strategies for Winning America Over
If you ever find yourself in that house, don’t just play for the $750,000. Play for the $50,000 safety net. The fans who drive the big brother afp vote are usually looking for one of three things:
- The Underdog: Think Donny Thompson (BB16) or James Huling (BB17). These are the players who are constantly on the block but keep smiling.
- The Mastermind (With a Heart): Tiffany Mitchell (BB23) changed the game with the Cookout alliance. Even though she didn't win, her strategic brilliance earned her the fan prize.
- The Chaos Agent: This is the Tucker Des Lauriers (BB26) or Elissa Slater (BB15) route. Just make sure people are talking about you every single day.
Can the Winner Also Win AFP?
This is the big question. For a long time, fans thought if you won the $500,000 (now $750,000) grand prize, you were ineligible for the big brother afp vote.
✨ Don't miss: Ashley My 600 Pound Life Now: What Really Happened to the Show’s Most Memorable Ashleys
That turned out to be a myth.
Taylor Hale (BB24) famously became the first person to win both the game and America’s Favorite Player. She walked away with $800,000 total. It was a historic night that proved if America loves you enough, they’ll stack your bank account regardless of what the jury says.
Why Your Vote Actually Matters
Look, we all know the "edit" on the Thursday night episodes can be a bit biased. The producers want a hero. But the people who really influence the big brother afp vote are the live-feeders.
The people watching at 3:00 AM see the real conversations. They see who is being a jerk in the kitchen and who is actually a decent human being. When you vote, you're helping balance out the "TV version" of the houseguests with the "real version."
Actionable Steps for the Next Finale
If you want to make sure your favorite doesn't get snubbed, here is the play:
- Set a Daily Alarm: Since you can vote every day during the window, consistency is the only way to beat the "Twitter stans" who are voting in organized blocks.
- Check the "Top 3" Clues: During the finale, Julie usually announces the top three vote-getters before naming the winner. If your favorite is in that top three but doesn't win, it’s a sign they’re a lock for a future All-Stars or Reindeer Games season.
- Don't Split Your Votes: If you like two people, pick one. Splitting your 20 votes 10/10 usually just results in a third person winning.
The big brother afp vote is the only time the viewers have a direct hand in the outcome of the season. It’s the ultimate "power to the people" move in reality TV. Use it wisely.
Next time the voting window opens, usually about 5-7 days before the finale, make sure you have your CBS login ready. That $50,000 check is waiting for someone—and it might as well be the person who actually made your summer bearable.