The Gambit is the brand-new twist in Big Brother Naija Season 11. It guarantees one male and one female housemate a place in the grand finale, but that safety comes with a price.

During the launch week, host Ebuka Obi-Uchendu announced the twist, describing it as a high-stakes decision that guarantees one male and one female housemate a place in the grand finale.

However, this privilege comes with a major trade-off, as they automatically become ineligible to win the season’s N160 million grand prize.

For the first time in BBNaija’s history, Flora and Aikou are the viewers’ choice of Gambits.

Here are five downsides of being a Gambit:

1. Ineligible for the N160 million grand prize: This is the biggest trade-off. No matter how far you go or how much fans love you, you cannot win the main prize money. For many housemates who joined to change their lives financially, this is a major loss.

2. ‘Not a real winner’ stigma: Because Gambits can’t win, some viewers and even housemates may see them as “exhibition housemates.” Their journey could be viewed as less competitive, even if they play hard.

3. Target for boredom/lack of stakes: With zero eviction risk, there’s no urgency. Viewers might think Gambits will struggle to stay motivated to play strategic games, do tasks, or create drama.

That can lead to them being called “boring” or “irrelevant” mid-season.

4. Less voting power from fans: Since fans voted to make them Gambits instead of voting to save them, the emotional investment is different. Fans may not mobilise as hard for them later because they know the person is already safe. That can hurt their post-show brand value.

5. Pressure to justify the spot: Being guaranteed the finale means all eyes are on you for 10 weeks. Every fight, mistake, or dull moment gets magnified. Gambits have to constantly prove they “deserve” the free pass, or risk backlash online for “wasting” a finale spot.

Chess& Abstract Strategy Games

The Gambit twist offers safety and massive exposure, but it costs a shot at the money and puts housemates under a different kind of pressure. (The Nation)

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