Won without a category win
4 of 4
meats called to the stage
SLAPS BBQ won the Grand Championship without winning a single meat — 4 calls from 4 boards, best of them 3rd. Consistency beat fireworks.
- Chicken 3rd
- Pork Ribs 4th
- Pork 6th
- Brisket 5th
Smoke on the Water 2023
Oct 13–14, 2023 · Topeka, KS · 📍 3435 SE East Edge Rd · State championship
Reps: Clara Williams, Jonathan B Williams · Prize money: $8,250
SLAPS BBQ won Grand Champion at the Smoke on the Water on October 13, 2023 in Topeka, KS at 3435 SE East Edge Rd, scoring 707.4176 in a field of 39 teams. WOOD HOOK BBQ took Reserve Grand Champion with 703.9772. Category winners: Chicken — BEER DART BBQ (178.8572); Pork Ribs — PIGGIN' WHISKEY (178.8572); Pork — JANKY LEG BBQ (179.4400); Brisket — Fergolicious BBQ (180.0000). This is the 10th of 14 editions of this contest on record; the 2022 edition was won by Cow Creek BBQ; the next was held in 2024.
The contest at a glance (read off the scored boards)
How the field scored
Overall totals, every team on the board — tall stacks are where the pack sat.
414.63
median 675.34
707.42 🏆
How the meats cooked
Every board on one scale — the bar runs last score to first, the dot is the median.
- Chicken 178.86
- Pork Ribs 178.86
- Pork 179.44
- Brisket 180 🔥
129.61
180
Winning score by edition
What it has taken to win here, 2013 to 2025 — this edition picked out.
Entries
39
4 judged meats
Top score
707.4176
Winning margin
3.4404
GC over RC
Field average
662.72
414.63707.42
median 675.34 · last place to winner
Tightest race
Pork Ribs
1.1544 pts across the top 5
Top-10 cutoff
685.6228
414.63707.42
10th place overall
Field spread
292.7892
winner to last place
Prize money
$8,250
on the line
Double threats
3
teams with 2+ top-5 calls
How hot was the win?
Top 7%
beats 93% of 4711 Master Series wins in the data
Came back for more
68%
19 of 28 teams from the previous edition returned
Form held
Strong
ρ = -0.7 between pre-contest rating and finish
Field strength
1,594
avg power rating going in · stronger than 74% of contests
Storylines (6 found in this contest's numbers)
Everything below is read straight out of the results — the number on each card is the one that made it a story.
A dynasty in the making
2×
wins at this contest
2 of 13 tracked editions
Thunder Hog BBQ has won this contest 2 times across its 13 tracked editions.
- 2019
- 2022
Photo finishes
Tie
closest of 16 calls decided inside half a point
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.
- Chicken 1–2 · tie
- Chicken 2–3 · tie
- Chicken 6–7 · tie
- Chicken 8–9 · tie
A contest record in brisket
180.0000
best brisket ever cooked here
Fergolicious BBQ turned in 180.0000 in brisket — past the 178.8800 that had stood across 9 earlier editions.
- old best 178.8800
- across 9 past editions
Back to defend
1
past champions back in the field
Past winners of this contest cooked this edition: Cow Creek BBQ (won 2022).
- Cow Creek BBQ · 2022
A perfect score on the table
1
perfect 180s
1 perfect 180 was scored at this contest — every judge at the table handing back a nine.
- Fergolicious BBQ · Brisket
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)
This contest over the years full contest page →
| Date | Where | Venue | Teams | High score | Grand Champion | Reserve Champion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 11, 2013 | Topeka, KS | Topeka, KS | 43 | 687.4516 | CHICKHOOVENSWINE BBQ | BLACK EYE BBQ |
| Oct 9, 2015 | Topeka, KS | Topeka, KS 66605 | 33 | 696.5600 | JO-BAWB'S BBQ | BOXER Q BBQ |
| May 6, 2017 | Liberty, IN | 3801 West Old Dunlapsville RD | 26 | 695.9084 | VICTORY SMOKERS | GREY STREET BBQ |
| May 5, 2018 | Liberty, IN | 3801 West Old Dunlapsville RD | 28 | 693.6684 | GREY STREET BBQ | BANKIN BABY BBQ |
| May 4, 2019 | Liberty, IN | 381 W Old Dunlapsville | 26 | 696.5140 | Thunder Hog BBQ | SLIPPERY PETE'S BBQ |
| May 1, 2021 | Liberty, IN | 3801 W Old Dunlapsville Rd | 27 | 706.2400 | The BBQ Bus | GETTIN PIGGY WITH IT BACKYARD BBQ |
| Oct 15, 2021 | Topeka, KS | 3435 SE East Edge Rd | 25 | 699.3600 | Mad Mutt's BBQ | SMOKE RINGERS |
| Apr 29, 2022 | Liberty, IN | 3801 W Old Dunlapsville Rd | 25 | 707.9888 | Thunder Hog BBQ | SCUFFLETOWN SMOKERS |
| Oct 14, 2022 | Topeka, KS | 3435 SE East Edge Rd | 28 | 701.6688 | Cow Creek BBQ | MAN MEAT BBQ |
| Oct 13, 2023 ← this one | Topeka, KS | 3435 SE East Edge Rd | 39 | 707.4176 | Slaps BBQ | WOOD HOOK BBQ |
| Sep 20, 2024 | Pine Bluff, AR | 1 Regional Park Dr | 42 | 698.2628 | Kith n Kin | SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ |
| Oct 11, 2024 | Topeka, KS | 3435 SE East Edge Rd | 31 | 700.5372 | Colorado Bulldawg BBQ | Bocephus BBQ |
| Oct 10, 2025 | Topeka, KS | 3435 SE East Edge Rd | 30 | 703.3828 | Squealin N Dealin BBQ | Damn Fine Beef & Swine |
| Oct 9, 2026 | 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 | 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 "Code Red" | |
| 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 "Code Red" | |
| 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 "Code Red" | |
| 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 "Code Red" | |
| 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 · 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 "Code Red" |