Smoke on the Water
2023-10-13 – 2023-10-14 · Topeka, KS · 📍 3435 SE East Edge Rd · State championship
Reps: CLARA WILLIAMS, JONATHAN B WILLIAMS · Prize money: $8,250.00
Grand Champion: Slaps BBQ (707.4176) · 39 teams
Reserve Champion: 🥈 WOOD HOOK BBQ
Entries
39
4 judged meats
Top score
707.4176
Winning margin
3.4404
GC over RC
Field average
662.72
median 675.34
Tightest race
Pork Ribs
1.1544 pts across the top 5
Top-10 cutoff
685.6228
10th place overall
Field spread
292.7892
winner to last place
Prize money
$8,250.00
on the line
Double threats
3
teams with 2+ top-5 calls
How hot was the win?
Top 12%
beats 88% of 1951 Master Series wins in the data
Traveled in
15%
of the 39 teams with a home region came from outside KS
Came back for more
68%
19 of 28 teams from the previous edition returned
Form held
Strong
ρ = -0.63 between pre-contest rating and finish
Field strength
1575
avg power rating going in · stronger than 77% of contests
Storylines
👑 A dynasty in the making
Thunder Hog BBQ has won this contest 2 times across its 13 tracked editions.
📸 Photo finishes
Chicken places 1–2: BEER DART BBQ and Too Sauced BBQ tied on 178.8572 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Chicken places 2–3: Too Sauced BBQ and SLAPS BBQ tied on 178.8572 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Chicken places 6–7: KC MEAT SWEATS and Cities Edge BBQ tied on 176.5600 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker.
🛡️ Back to defend
Past winners of this contest cooked this edition: Cow Creek BBQ (won 2022).
Score curves (score by finishing position — steep cliffs mean a spread field, flat lines a knife fight)
Category showdown (top / average / median score per meat)
Score distribution
Biggest rating movers (power-rating points won and lost at this contest)
Did form hold? (pre-contest rating vs overall finish — ratings called it if the dots climb to the right)
Where the field came from (home regions on file)
This contest over the years full contest page →
| Date | Where | Venue | Teams | High score | Grand Champion | Reserve Champion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-10-11 | Topeka, KS | 43 | 687.4516 | CHICKHOOVENSWINE BBQ | BLACK EYE BBQ | |
| 2015-10-09 | Topeka, KS 66605 | 33 | 696.5600 | JO-BAWB'S BBQ | BOXER Q BBQ | |
| 2017-05-06 | 3801 West Old Dunlapsville RD | 26 | 695.9084 | VICTORY SMOKERS | GREY STREET BBQ | |
| 2018-05-05 | 3801 West Old Dunlapsville RD | 28 | 693.6684 | GREY STREET BBQ | BANKIN BABY BBQ | |
| 2019-05-04 | Liberty, IN | 381 W Old Dunlapsville | 26 | 696.5140 | Thunder Hog BBQ | SLIPPERY PETE'S BBQ |
| 2021-05-01 | Liberty, IN | 3801 W Old Dunlapsville Rd | 27 | 706.2400 | The BBQ Bus | GETTIN PIGGY WITH IT BACKYARD BBQ |
| 2021-10-15 | Topeka, KS | 3435 SE East Edge Rd | 25 | 699.3600 | Mad Mutt's BBQ | SMOKE RINGERS |
| 2022-04-29 | Liberty, IN | 3801 W Old Dunlapsville Rd | 25 | 707.9888 | Thunder Hog BBQ | SCUFFLETOWN SMOKERS |
| 2022-10-14 | Topeka, KS | 3435 SE East Edge Rd | 28 | 701.6688 | Cow Creek BBQ | MAN MEAT BBQ |
| 2023-10-13 ← this one | Topeka, KS | 3435 SE East Edge Rd | 39 | 707.4176 | Slaps BBQ | WOOD HOOK BBQ |
| 2024-09-20 | Pine Bluff, AR | 1 Regional Park Dr | 42 | 698.2628 | Kith n Kin | SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ |
| 2024-10-11 | Topeka, KS | 3435 SE East Edge Rd | 31 | 700.5372 | Colorado Bulldawg BBQ | Bocephus BBQ |
| 2025-10-10 | Topeka, KS | 3435 SE East Edge Rd | 30 | 703.3828 | Squealin N Dealin BBQ | Damn Fine Beef & Swine |
| 2026-10-09 | Topeka, KS | — | — | — | — | — |
What a call cost (the score it took to finish 1st, 5th and 10th)
| Category | 1st | 5th | 10th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken | 178.8572 | 176.5716 | 175.4056 |
| Pork Ribs | 178.8572 | 177.7028 | 175.4172 |
| Pork | 179.4400 | 175.4172 | 171.9656 |
| Brisket | 180.0000 | 176.5716 | 172.5600 |
Official results on kcbs.us ↗
Master Series
Overall
39 entries · top 707.4176 · median 675.3372
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SLAPS BBQ | |
| 2 | WOOD HOOK BBQ | |
| 3 | PIGGIN' WHISKEY | |
| 4 | Fergolicious BBQ | |
| 5 | JANKY LEG BBQ | |
| 6 | MAN MEAT BBQ | |
| 7 | Cities Edge BBQ | |
| 8 | ROCK N BLUES BBQ | |
| 9 | BEER DART BBQ | |
| 10 | Cow Creek BBQ | |
| 11 | Bocephus BBQ | |
| 12 | KC MEAT SWEATS | |
| 13 | Dirt Crüe BBQ | |
| 14 | Who's Cookin' | |
| 15 | FINGER LEIKAM GOOD | |
| 16 | GETTIN' BASTED | |
| 17 | Shark Q | |
| 18 | SMOKIN' AXE BBQ | |
| 19 | LOVE 2 Q | |
| 20 | Smoke Til We're Broke | |
| 21 | FAIRWAY SMOKERS | |
| 22 | BBQ Pit Bros | |
| 23 | Too Sauced BBQ | |
| 24 | 777 BBQ | |
| 25 | M Squared Smokin' Q | |
| 26 | Jones'n BBQ | |
| 27 | Burnt & Ernie | |
| 28 | Boxer Q | |
| 29 | SHIRTS ON FIRE BBQ | |
| 30 | Triple Ace's Bbq | |
| 31 | BrewsCue | |
| 32 | One Love BBQ | |
| 33 | Blaz'n Weazel BBQ | |
| 34 | Swing'n Meats BBQ | |
| 35 | DB Que | |
| 36 | Topeka ER & Hospital %22Code Red%22 | |
| 37 | Just Guys Being Dudes | |
| 38 | TENDER BUTTS | |
| 39 | The Notorious Pig Smoke Team |
Chicken
39 entries · top 178.8572 · median 170.8228
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | BEER DART BBQ | |
| 2 | Too Sauced BBQ | |
| 3 | SLAPS BBQ | |
| 4 | Cow Creek BBQ | |
| 5 | Burnt & Ernie | |
| 6 | KC MEAT SWEATS | |
| 7 | Cities Edge BBQ | |
| 8 | GETTIN' BASTED | |
| 9 | SHIRTS ON FIRE BBQ | |
| 10 | JANKY LEG BBQ | |
| 11 | MAN MEAT BBQ | |
| 12 | SMOKIN' AXE BBQ | |
| 13 | PIGGIN' WHISKEY | |
| 14 | FAIRWAY SMOKERS | |
| 15 | ROCK N BLUES BBQ | |
| 16 | 777 BBQ | |
| 17 | Dirt Crüe BBQ | |
| 18 | DB Que | |
| 19 | One Love BBQ | |
| 20 | Fergolicious BBQ | |
| 21 | Triple Ace's Bbq | |
| 22 | WOOD HOOK BBQ | |
| 23 | Who's Cookin' | |
| 24 | Smoke Til We're Broke | |
| 25 | Blaz'n Weazel BBQ | |
| 26 | M Squared Smokin' Q | |
| 27 | BrewsCue | |
| 28 | Bocephus BBQ | |
| 29 | BBQ Pit Bros | |
| 30 | Topeka ER & Hospital %22Code Red%22 | |
| 31 | Jones'n BBQ | |
| 32 | LOVE 2 Q | |
| 33 | FINGER LEIKAM GOOD | |
| 34 | Shark Q | |
| 35 | Swing'n Meats BBQ | |
| 36 | TENDER BUTTS | |
| 37 | Boxer Q | |
| 38 | Just Guys Being Dudes | |
| 39 | The Notorious Pig Smoke Team |
Pork Ribs
38 entries · top 178.8572 · median 170.5428
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | PIGGIN' WHISKEY | |
| 2 | WOOD HOOK BBQ | |
| 3 | MAN MEAT BBQ | |
| 4 | SLAPS BBQ | |
| 5 | Shark Q | |
| 6 | FINGER LEIKAM GOOD | |
| 7 | Fergolicious BBQ | |
| 8 | Bocephus BBQ | |
| 9 | 777 BBQ | |
| 10 | Boxer Q | |
| 11 | Cities Edge BBQ | |
| 12 | GETTIN' BASTED | |
| 13 | KC MEAT SWEATS | |
| 14 | Who's Cookin' | |
| 15 | SMOKIN' AXE BBQ | |
| 16 | Cow Creek BBQ | |
| 17 | M Squared Smokin' Q | |
| 18 | SHIRTS ON FIRE BBQ | |
| 19 | ROCK N BLUES BBQ | |
| 20 | Dirt Crüe BBQ | |
| 21 | Jones'n BBQ | |
| 22 | Burnt & Ernie | |
| 23 | Too Sauced BBQ | |
| 24 | BEER DART BBQ | |
| 25 | FAIRWAY SMOKERS | |
| 26 | One Love BBQ | |
| 27 | Swing'n Meats BBQ | |
| 28 | Smoke Til We're Broke | |
| 29 | Topeka ER & Hospital %22Code Red%22 | |
| 30 | LOVE 2 Q | |
| 31 | Triple Ace's Bbq | |
| 32 | BBQ Pit Bros | |
| 33 | JANKY LEG BBQ | |
| 34 | BrewsCue | |
| 35 | DB Que | |
| 36 | Blaz'n Weazel BBQ | |
| 37 | Just Guys Being Dudes | |
| 38 | TENDER BUTTS |
Pork
39 entries · top 179.4400 · median 166.8344
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | JANKY LEG BBQ | |
| 2 | Cities Edge BBQ | |
| 3 | WOOD HOOK BBQ | |
| 4 | BBQ Pit Bros | |
| 5 | LOVE 2 Q | |
| 6 | SLAPS BBQ | |
| 7 | Dirt Crüe BBQ | |
| 8 | Smoke Til We're Broke | |
| 9 | ROCK N BLUES BBQ | |
| 10 | Who's Cookin' | |
| 11 | BEER DART BBQ | |
| 12 | PIGGIN' WHISKEY | |
| 13 | Fergolicious BBQ | |
| 14 | KC MEAT SWEATS | |
| 15 | SMOKIN' AXE BBQ | |
| 16 | FINGER LEIKAM GOOD | |
| 17 | GETTIN' BASTED | |
| 18 | Cow Creek BBQ | |
| 19 | Shark Q | |
| 20 | Swing'n Meats BBQ | |
| 21 | MAN MEAT BBQ | |
| 22 | One Love BBQ | |
| 23 | FAIRWAY SMOKERS | |
| 24 | Bocephus BBQ | |
| 25 | Burnt & Ernie | |
| 26 | BrewsCue | |
| 27 | Boxer Q | |
| 28 | Triple Ace's Bbq | |
| 29 | Jones'n BBQ | |
| 30 | SHIRTS ON FIRE BBQ | |
| 31 | 777 BBQ | |
| 32 | Blaz'n Weazel BBQ | |
| 33 | M Squared Smokin' Q | |
| 34 | Topeka ER & Hospital %22Code Red%22 | |
| 35 | Too Sauced BBQ | |
| 36 | Just Guys Being Dudes | |
| 37 | TENDER BUTTS | |
| 38 | DB Que | |
| 39 | The Notorious Pig Smoke Team |
Brisket
39 entries · top 180.0000 · median 167.4172 · 🔥 perfect 180
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fergolicious BBQ | |
| 2 | JANKY LEG BBQ | |
| 3 | Bocephus BBQ | |
| 4 | WOOD HOOK BBQ | |
| 5 | SLAPS BBQ | |
| 6 | MAN MEAT BBQ | |
| 7 | PIGGIN' WHISKEY | |
| 8 | ROCK N BLUES BBQ | |
| 9 | LOVE 2 Q | |
| 10 | Shark Q | |
| 11 | Who's Cookin' | |
| 12 | M Squared Smokin' Q | |
| 13 | FINGER LEIKAM GOOD | |
| 14 | BEER DART BBQ | |
| 15 | Jones'n BBQ | |
| 16 | Too Sauced BBQ | |
| 17 | Dirt Crüe BBQ | |
| 18 | Cow Creek BBQ | |
| 19 | FAIRWAY SMOKERS | |
| 20 | Smoke Til We're Broke | |
| 21 | GETTIN' BASTED | |
| 22 | KC MEAT SWEATS | |
| 23 | BBQ Pit Bros | |
| 24 | SMOKIN' AXE BBQ | |
| 25 | Boxer Q | |
| 26 | Cities Edge BBQ | |
| 27 | 777 BBQ | |
| 28 | Triple Ace's Bbq | |
| 29 | Just Guys Being Dudes | |
| 30 | Blaz'n Weazel BBQ | |
| 31 | BrewsCue | |
| 32 | Burnt & Ernie | |
| 33 | SHIRTS ON FIRE BBQ | |
| 34 | DB Que | |
| 35 | The Notorious Pig Smoke Team | |
| 36 | One Love BBQ | |
| 37 | TENDER BUTTS | |
| 38 | Swing'n Meats BBQ | |
| 39 | Topeka ER & Hospital %22Code Red%22 |