A statement win
9.7600
points clear of the field
Wider than 87% of the 4,710 championships in the data
The champion won by 9.7600 points — a wider margin than 87% of championships in the data.
Smoke on the Water 2025
Oct 10–11, 2025 · Topeka, KS · 📍 3435 SE East Edge Rd · State championship
Reps: Clara Williams, Jonathan B Williams · Prize money: $6,250
Squealin N Dealin BBQ won Grand Champion at the Smoke on the Water on October 10, 2025 in Topeka, KS at 3435 SE East Edge Rd, scoring 703.3828 in a field of 30 teams. Damn Fine Beef & Swine took Reserve Grand Champion with 693.6228. Category winners: Chicken — Squealin N Dealin BBQ (178.8572); Pork Ribs — TORNADO BBQ (177.1544); Pork — Squealin N Dealin BBQ (179.4400); Brisket — FAIRWAY SMOKERS (175.4056). This is the 13th of 14 editions of this contest on record; the 2024 edition was won by Colorado Bulldawg BBQ; the next is scheduled for October 9, 2026.
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.
622.64
median 677.62
703.38 🏆
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 177.15
- Pork 179.44
- Brisket 175.41
149.62
179.44
Winning score by edition
What it has taken to win here, 2013 to 2025 — this edition picked out.
Entries
30
4 judged meats
Top score
703.3828
Winning margin
9.7600
GC over RC
Field average
674.13
622.64703.38
median 677.62 · last place to winner
Perfect 180s
0
Tightest race
Chicken
2.2972 pts across the top 5
Top-10 cutoff
684.4340
622.64703.38
10th place overall
Field spread
80.7432
winner to last place
Prize money
$6,250
on the line
Double threats
3
teams with 2+ top-5 calls
How hot was the win?
Top 20%
beats 80% of 4711 Master Series wins in the data
Came back for more
52%
16 of 31 teams from the previous edition returned
Form held
Strong
ρ = -0.76 between pre-contest rating and finish
Field strength
1,615
avg power rating going in · stronger than 85% of contests
Storylines (5 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 4–5: Bourbon Bent BBQ and WOOD HOOK BBQ tied on 176.5600 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Chicken places 5–6: WOOD HOOK BBQ and Can Country Outlaw BBQ tied on 176.5600 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Chicken places 9–10: ROCK N BLUES BBQ and Who's Cookin' tied on 175.4056 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker.
- Chicken 4–5 · tie
- Chicken 5–6 · tie
- Chicken 9–10 · tie
- Pork Ribs 8–9 · tie
A double category winner
2
category wins in a day
Squealin N Dealin BBQ won Chicken, Pork — a double, and took the Grand Championship on top of it.
- Chicken 1st
- Pork 1st
How the title was won
4 of 4
meats called to the stage
Squealin N Dealin BBQ took the title on 4 calls from 4 meats, with 2 outright wins — their weakest board was pork ribs at 9th.
- Chicken 1st
- Pork Ribs 9th
- Pork 1st
- Brisket 2nd
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 | 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 ← this one | 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 | 176.5600 | 175.4056 |
| Pork Ribs | 177.1544 | 174.2628 | 170.8228 |
| Pork | 179.4400 | 174.2744 | 171.9656 |
| Brisket | 175.4056 | 171.9772 | 170.8228 |
Official results on kcbs.us ↗
Master Series
Overall
30 entries · top 703.3828 · median 677.6228
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Squealin N Dealin BBQ | |
| 2 | Damn Fine Beef & Swine | |
| 3 | Bocephus BBQ | |
| 4 | Cities Edge BBQ | |
| 5 | Take It Easy BBQ | |
| 6 | Can Country Outlaw BBQ | |
| 7 | BrewsCue | |
| 8 | MUNNY'S STOVE | |
| 9 | WOOD HOOK BBQ | |
| 10 | Fergolicious BBQ | |
| 11 | Barking Dog BBQ | |
| 12 | Aww Shucks BBQ | |
| 13 | Who's Cookin' | |
| 14 | FAIRWAY SMOKERS | |
| 15 | TOPEKA BBQ SHOP | |
| 16 | Pine Tar BBQ | |
| 17 | TORNADO BBQ | |
| 18 | MAN MEAT BBQ | |
| 19 | KC Meat Sweats | |
| 20 | Electrified BBQ | |
| 21 | MEAT RUSHMORE BBQ | |
| 22 | ROCK N BLUES BBQ | |
| 23 | In Deep Sauce BBQ Team | |
| 24 | Smoke Til We're Broke | |
| 25 | Bourbon Bent BBQ | |
| 26 | Lucky D's BBQ | |
| 27 | M2 Smokin' Q | |
| 28 | BALD BEAUTIES BBQ | |
| 29 | Smoke Wurx BBQ | |
| 30 | Blaz'n Weazel BBQ |
Chicken
30 entries · top 178.8572 · median 173.1084
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Squealin N Dealin BBQ | |
| 2 | Damn Fine Beef & Swine | |
| 3 | MUNNY'S STOVE | |
| 4 | Bourbon Bent BBQ | |
| 5 | WOOD HOOK BBQ | |
| 6 | Can Country Outlaw BBQ | |
| 7 | Smoke Wurx BBQ | |
| 8 | Take It Easy BBQ | |
| 9 | ROCK N BLUES BBQ | |
| 10 | Who's Cookin' | |
| 11 | Cities Edge BBQ | |
| 12 | BrewsCue | |
| 13 | Smoke Til We're Broke | |
| 14 | Barking Dog BBQ | |
| 15 | Pine Tar BBQ | |
| 16 | Fergolicious BBQ | |
| 17 | TOPEKA BBQ SHOP | |
| 18 | KC Meat Sweats | |
| 19 | MEAT RUSHMORE BBQ | |
| 20 | MAN MEAT BBQ | |
| 21 | Aww Shucks BBQ | |
| 22 | In Deep Sauce BBQ Team | |
| 23 | FAIRWAY SMOKERS | |
| 24 | M2 Smokin' Q | |
| 25 | Electrified BBQ | |
| 26 | Bocephus BBQ | |
| 27 | TORNADO BBQ | |
| 28 | Lucky D's BBQ | |
| 29 | BALD BEAUTIES BBQ | |
| 30 | Blaz'n Weazel BBQ |
Pork Ribs
30 entries · top 177.1544 · median 169.6800
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | TORNADO BBQ | |
| 2 | Bocephus BBQ | |
| 3 | TOPEKA BBQ SHOP | |
| 4 | Take It Easy BBQ | |
| 5 | KC Meat Sweats | |
| 6 | Barking Dog BBQ | |
| 7 | Cities Edge BBQ | |
| 8 | Damn Fine Beef & Swine | |
| 9 | Squealin N Dealin BBQ | |
| 10 | Can Country Outlaw BBQ | |
| 11 | MEAT RUSHMORE BBQ | |
| 12 | MUNNY'S STOVE | |
| 13 | BrewsCue | |
| 14 | MAN MEAT BBQ | |
| 15 | Pine Tar BBQ | |
| 16 | FAIRWAY SMOKERS | |
| 17 | Who's Cookin' | |
| 18 | Fergolicious BBQ | |
| 19 | Smoke Til We're Broke | |
| 20 | BALD BEAUTIES BBQ | |
| 21 | Aww Shucks BBQ | |
| 22 | Electrified BBQ | |
| 23 | WOOD HOOK BBQ | |
| 24 | Blaz'n Weazel BBQ | |
| 25 | In Deep Sauce BBQ Team | |
| 26 | ROCK N BLUES BBQ | |
| 27 | M2 Smokin' Q | |
| 28 | Smoke Wurx BBQ | |
| 29 | Bourbon Bent BBQ | |
| 30 | Lucky D's BBQ |
Pork
30 entries · top 179.4400 · median 169.3942
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Squealin N Dealin BBQ | |
| 2 | Bocephus BBQ | |
| 3 | TORNADO BBQ | |
| 4 | Pine Tar BBQ | |
| 5 | Cities Edge BBQ | |
| 6 | MAN MEAT BBQ | |
| 7 | WOOD HOOK BBQ | |
| 8 | Damn Fine Beef & Swine | |
| 9 | Fergolicious BBQ | |
| 10 | MUNNY'S STOVE | |
| 11 | Electrified BBQ | |
| 12 | Can Country Outlaw BBQ | |
| 13 | BrewsCue | |
| 14 | Aww Shucks BBQ | |
| 15 | Take It Easy BBQ | |
| 16 | MEAT RUSHMORE BBQ | |
| 17 | FAIRWAY SMOKERS | |
| 18 | Who's Cookin' | |
| 19 | TOPEKA BBQ SHOP | |
| 20 | Barking Dog BBQ | |
| 21 | Bourbon Bent BBQ | |
| 22 | In Deep Sauce BBQ Team | |
| 23 | Smoke Til We're Broke | |
| 24 | KC Meat Sweats | |
| 25 | Lucky D's BBQ | |
| 26 | M2 Smokin' Q | |
| 27 | BALD BEAUTIES BBQ | |
| 28 | ROCK N BLUES BBQ | |
| 29 | Blaz'n Weazel BBQ | |
| 30 | Smoke Wurx BBQ |
Brisket
30 entries · top 175.4056 · median 169.0970
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | FAIRWAY SMOKERS | |
| 2 | Squealin N Dealin BBQ | |
| 3 | Bocephus BBQ | |
| 4 | Aww Shucks BBQ | |
| 5 | BrewsCue | |
| 6 | Take It Easy BBQ | |
| 7 | Can Country Outlaw BBQ | |
| 8 | Electrified BBQ | |
| 9 | KC Meat Sweats | |
| 10 | Lucky D's BBQ | |
| 11 | Damn Fine Beef & Swine | |
| 12 | Barking Dog BBQ | |
| 13 | WOOD HOOK BBQ | |
| 14 | Cities Edge BBQ | |
| 15 | Fergolicious BBQ | |
| 16 | Who's Cookin' | |
| 17 | ROCK N BLUES BBQ | |
| 18 | MUNNY'S STOVE | |
| 19 | BALD BEAUTIES BBQ | |
| 20 | MEAT RUSHMORE BBQ | |
| 21 | M2 Smokin' Q | |
| 22 | In Deep Sauce BBQ Team | |
| 23 | MAN MEAT BBQ | |
| 24 | TOPEKA BBQ SHOP | |
| 25 | TORNADO BBQ | |
| 26 | Pine Tar BBQ | |
| 27 | Bourbon Bent BBQ | |
| 28 | Smoke Til We're Broke | |
| 29 | Smoke Wurx BBQ | |
| 30 | Blaz'n Weazel BBQ |