A razor-thin finish
0.0116
points between champion and reserve
Closer than 98% of the 4,722 championships in the data
The Grand Championship was decided by 0.0116 points — closer than 98% of every championship in the data.
- SLAPS BBQ
- TRUEBUD BBQ
Smokin' on Oak 2015
Aug 28–29, 2015 · Bonner Springs, KS
SLAPS BBQ won Grand Champion at the Smokin' on Oak on August 28, 2015 in Bonner Springs, KS, scoring 702.8460 in a field of 42 teams. TRUEBUD BBQ took Reserve Grand Champion with 702.8344. Category winners: Chicken — DIRT ROAD BBQ (176.5716); Pork Ribs — SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ (177.7144); Pork — For the Love of Que (179.4400); Brisket — SLAPS BBQ (178.8572). This is the 3rd of 5 editions of this contest on record; the 2014 edition was won by MIDNIGHT STOKERS; the next was held in 2016.
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.
617.03
median 661.62
702.85 🏆
How the meats cooked
Every board on one scale — the bar runs last score to first, the dot is the median.
- Chicken 176.57
- Pork Ribs 177.71
- Pork 179.44
- Brisket 178.86
143.38
179.44
Winning score by edition
What it has taken to win here, 2013 to 2017 — this edition picked out.
Entries
42
4 judged meats
Top score
702.8460
Winning margin
0.0116
GC over RC
Field average
662.38
617.03702.85
median 661.62 · last place to winner
Perfect 180s
0
Tightest race
Chicken
1.1544 pts across the top 5
Top-10 cutoff
685.1084
617.03702.85
10th place overall
Field spread
85.8172
winner to last place
Double threats
5
teams with 2+ top-5 calls
How hot was the win?
Top 21%
beats 79% of 4723 Master Series wins in the data
Came back for more
47%
14 of 30 teams from the previous edition returned
Form held
Strong
ρ = -0.79 between pre-contest rating and finish
Field strength
1,565
avg power rating going in · stronger than 50% of contests
Storylines (8 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 new contest record
702.8460
highest overall ever cooked here
702.8460 is the highest overall score this contest has ever produced — past the 686.2740 MIDNIGHT STOKERS set in 2014.
- old record 686.2740
- set 2014 by MIDNIGHT STOKERS
An upset on the books
27-in-100
shot on pre-contest ratings
The ratings favoured the top seed the other 73 times in 100
SLAPS BBQ came in rated below the field's top team, SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ, and took the Grand Championship anyway — roughly a 27-in-100 shot on pre-contest ratings.
- champion 1694
- top seed 1863
Photo finishes
Tie
closest of 16 calls decided inside half a point
Chicken places 1–2: DIRT ROAD BBQ and 913 BBQ tied on 176.5716 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Chicken places 3–4: KC SMOKE DAWGS and R BUTTS R SMOKIN tied on 176.0000 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Chicken places 6–7: OLD STYLE BBQ and SMOOTH SMOKE tied on 173.7028 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker.
- Chicken 1–2 · tie
- Chicken 3–4 · tie
- Chicken 6–7 · tie
- Chicken 8–9 · tie
How the title was won
4 of 4
meats called to the stage
SLAPS BBQ took the title on 4 calls from 4 meats, with 1 outright win — their weakest board was chicken at 8th.
- Chicken 8th
- Pork Ribs 7th
- Pork 4th
- Brisket 1st
A contest record in pork
179.4400
best pork ever cooked here
For the Love of Que turned in 179.4400 in pork — past the 173.1428 that had stood across 2 earlier editions.
- old best 173.1428
- across 2 past editions
Back to defend
2
past champions back in the field
Past winners of this contest cooked this edition: TRUEBUD BBQ (won 2013), MIDNIGHT STOKERS (won 2014).
- TRUEBUD BBQ · 2013
- MIDNIGHT STOKERS · 2014
The biggest field yet
42
teams — a contest high
This contest usually draws about 34 teams
42 teams is the deepest field this contest has drawn in the data, against a typical 34.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 23, 2013 | Bonner Springs, KS | Bonner Springs, KS | 38 | 678.1944 | TRUEBUD BBQ | BREW 'N' BAR-B-QUE |
| Aug 22, 2014 | Bonner Springs, KS | Bonner Springs, KS 66012 | 30 | 686.2740 | MIDNIGHT STOKERS | KC SMOKE DAWGS |
| Aug 28, 2015 ← this one | Bonner Springs, KS | Bonner Springs, KS 66012 | 42 | 702.8460 | SLAPS BBQ | TRUEBUD BBQ |
| Aug 26, 2016 | Bonner Springs, KS | 3rd & Ceadar st Downtown Bonner Springs | 37 | 694.7656 | 913 BBQ | TEMPLETON RYE WOODFELLAS |
| Aug 18, 2017 | Bonner Springs, KS | Bonner Springs, KS 66012 | 28 | 697.6912 | SMOOTH SMOKE | KC SMOKE DAWGS |
What a call cost (the score it took to finish 1st, 5th and 10th)
| Category | 1st | 5th | 10th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken | 176.5716 | 175.4172 | 173.1316 |
| Pork Ribs | 177.7144 | 173.7144 | 172.5600 |
| Pork | 179.4400 | 177.7028 | 174.2972 |
| Brisket | 178.8572 | 174.8572 | 173.1200 |
Official results on kcbs.us ↗
Master Series
Overall
42 entries · top 702.8460 · median 661.6228
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SLAPS BBQ | |
| 2 | TRUEBUD BBQ | |
| 3 | 913 BBQ | |
| 4 | SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ | |
| 5 | R BUTTS R SMOKIN | |
| 6 | DIRT ROAD BBQ | |
| 7 | BREW 'N' BAR-B-QUE | |
| 8 | EATIN AINT CHEATIN | |
| 9 | KC SMOKE DAWGS | |
| 10 | SMOOTH SMOKE | |
| 11 | OLD STYLE BBQ | |
| 12 | BURNT AT BOTH ENDZ | |
| 13 | For the Love of Que | |
| 14 | TEAM GETTING SAUCED | |
| 15 | MAN MEAT BBQ | |
| 16 | MIDNIGHT STOKERS | |
| 17 | 99 PROBLEMS SMOKIN AINT 1 | |
| 18 | STP BBQ | |
| 19 | Fergolicious BBQ | |
| 20 | LIFT, TILT, AND STAGGER BBQ | |
| 21 | Smokehouse Swine | |
| 22 | You want me to Smoke What | |
| 23 | GEN QUE | |
| 24 | MAD HOGS AND AN ENGLISHMAN | |
| 25 | 2 DRUNK 2 QUE | |
| 26 | Bob-O-Que | |
| 27 | SWEET ASH BBQ | |
| 28 | DIXIE BOYS BBQ | |
| 29 | 3 pigs smokin | |
| 30 | WATER DAWGZ BBQ | |
| 31 | SMOKEN HOG RODS | |
| 32 | 4 MEAT SAKES | |
| 33 | SMALLEYWOOD BBQ | |
| 34 | Couzins BBQ | |
| 35 | Sow Manilla Grilla | |
| 36 | DUSTY ROADS BBQ | |
| 37 | SMOKIN IN THE BOARDROOM | |
| 38 | SMOKIN ZEKE'S BBQ | |
| 39 | JACKWAGON BBQ | |
| 40 | Get In My Belly BBQ | |
| 41 | KC Fine Swine | |
| 42 | Partners in Crime |
Chicken
42 entries · top 176.5716 · median 168.5714
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DIRT ROAD BBQ | |
| 2 | 913 BBQ | |
| 3 | KC SMOKE DAWGS | |
| 4 | R BUTTS R SMOKIN | |
| 5 | TRUEBUD BBQ | |
| 6 | OLD STYLE BBQ | |
| 7 | SMOOTH SMOKE | |
| 8 | SLAPS BBQ | |
| 9 | 4 MEAT SAKES | |
| 10 | TEAM GETTING SAUCED | |
| 11 | SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ | |
| 12 | BURNT AT BOTH ENDZ | |
| 13 | DIXIE BOYS BBQ | |
| 14 | MIDNIGHT STOKERS | |
| 15 | SWEET ASH BBQ | |
| 16 | LIFT, TILT, AND STAGGER BBQ | |
| 17 | BREW 'N' BAR-B-QUE | |
| 18 | For the Love of Que | |
| 19 | EATIN AINT CHEATIN | |
| 20 | MAD HOGS AND AN ENGLISHMAN | |
| 21 | 3 pigs smokin | |
| 22 | SMOKEN HOG RODS | |
| 23 | SMALLEYWOOD BBQ | |
| 24 | KC Fine Swine | |
| 25 | You want me to Smoke What | |
| 26 | Fergolicious BBQ | |
| 27 | 2 DRUNK 2 QUE | |
| 28 | Smokehouse Swine | |
| 29 | STP BBQ | |
| 30 | WATER DAWGZ BBQ | |
| 31 | MAN MEAT BBQ | |
| 32 | GEN QUE | |
| 33 | 99 PROBLEMS SMOKIN AINT 1 | |
| 34 | Get In My Belly BBQ | |
| 35 | Sow Manilla Grilla | |
| 36 | Bob-O-Que | |
| 37 | Couzins BBQ | |
| 38 | JACKWAGON BBQ | |
| 39 | DUSTY ROADS BBQ | |
| 40 | SMOKIN IN THE BOARDROOM | |
| 41 | SMOKIN ZEKE'S BBQ | |
| 42 | Partners in Crime |
Pork Ribs
42 entries · top 177.7144 · median 165.4286
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ | |
| 2 | KC SMOKE DAWGS | |
| 3 | TRUEBUD BBQ | |
| 4 | Fergolicious BBQ | |
| 5 | OLD STYLE BBQ | |
| 6 | R BUTTS R SMOKIN | |
| 7 | SLAPS BBQ | |
| 8 | BREW 'N' BAR-B-QUE | |
| 9 | MIDNIGHT STOKERS | |
| 10 | 913 BBQ | |
| 11 | Smokehouse Swine | |
| 12 | 99 PROBLEMS SMOKIN AINT 1 | |
| 13 | MAN MEAT BBQ | |
| 14 | SMOOTH SMOKE | |
| 15 | You want me to Smoke What | |
| 16 | STP BBQ | |
| 17 | DIRT ROAD BBQ | |
| 18 | BURNT AT BOTH ENDZ | |
| 19 | SMOKIN ZEKE'S BBQ | |
| 20 | EATIN AINT CHEATIN | |
| 21 | For the Love of Que | |
| 22 | 2 DRUNK 2 QUE | |
| 23 | DIXIE BOYS BBQ | |
| 24 | 4 MEAT SAKES | |
| 25 | Couzins BBQ | |
| 26 | Bob-O-Que | |
| 27 | MAD HOGS AND AN ENGLISHMAN | |
| 28 | LIFT, TILT, AND STAGGER BBQ | |
| 29 | TEAM GETTING SAUCED | |
| 30 | GEN QUE | |
| 31 | SWEET ASH BBQ | |
| 32 | DUSTY ROADS BBQ | |
| 33 | SMOKIN IN THE BOARDROOM | |
| 34 | JACKWAGON BBQ | |
| 35 | Get In My Belly BBQ | |
| 36 | SMOKEN HOG RODS | |
| 37 | Sow Manilla Grilla | |
| 38 | 3 pigs smokin | |
| 39 | WATER DAWGZ BBQ | |
| 40 | Partners in Crime | |
| 41 | SMALLEYWOOD BBQ | |
| 42 | KC Fine Swine |
Pork
42 entries · top 179.4400 · median 168.5714
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | For the Love of Que | |
| 2 | LIFT, TILT, AND STAGGER BBQ | |
| 3 | TRUEBUD BBQ | |
| 4 | SLAPS BBQ | |
| 5 | DIRT ROAD BBQ | |
| 6 | MAN MEAT BBQ | |
| 7 | BURNT AT BOTH ENDZ | |
| 8 | GEN QUE | |
| 9 | Fergolicious BBQ | |
| 10 | EATIN AINT CHEATIN | |
| 11 | BREW 'N' BAR-B-QUE | |
| 12 | SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ | |
| 13 | 913 BBQ | |
| 14 | SMOOTH SMOKE | |
| 15 | 99 PROBLEMS SMOKIN AINT 1 | |
| 16 | R BUTTS R SMOKIN | |
| 17 | SMOKIN IN THE BOARDROOM | |
| 18 | WATER DAWGZ BBQ | |
| 19 | 3 pigs smokin | |
| 20 | Partners in Crime | |
| 21 | OLD STYLE BBQ | |
| 22 | SMOKIN ZEKE'S BBQ | |
| 23 | TEAM GETTING SAUCED | |
| 24 | SMALLEYWOOD BBQ | |
| 25 | DUSTY ROADS BBQ | |
| 26 | Smokehouse Swine | |
| 27 | MAD HOGS AND AN ENGLISHMAN | |
| 28 | JACKWAGON BBQ | |
| 29 | Sow Manilla Grilla | |
| 30 | SWEET ASH BBQ | |
| 31 | You want me to Smoke What | |
| 32 | STP BBQ | |
| 33 | Bob-O-Que | |
| 34 | KC SMOKE DAWGS | |
| 35 | 4 MEAT SAKES | |
| 36 | Couzins BBQ | |
| 37 | MIDNIGHT STOKERS | |
| 38 | KC Fine Swine | |
| 39 | Get In My Belly BBQ | |
| 40 | 2 DRUNK 2 QUE | |
| 41 | SMOKEN HOG RODS | |
| 42 | DIXIE BOYS BBQ |
Brisket
42 entries · top 178.8572 · median 164.0058
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SLAPS BBQ | |
| 2 | 913 BBQ | |
| 3 | EATIN AINT CHEATIN | |
| 4 | 2 DRUNK 2 QUE | |
| 5 | TRUEBUD BBQ | |
| 6 | R BUTTS R SMOKIN | |
| 7 | STP BBQ | |
| 8 | SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ | |
| 9 | KC SMOKE DAWGS | |
| 10 | Bob-O-Que | |
| 11 | BREW 'N' BAR-B-QUE | |
| 12 | TEAM GETTING SAUCED | |
| 13 | DIRT ROAD BBQ | |
| 14 | SMOOTH SMOKE | |
| 15 | MIDNIGHT STOKERS | |
| 16 | OLD STYLE BBQ | |
| 17 | 99 PROBLEMS SMOKIN AINT 1 | |
| 18 | MAN MEAT BBQ | |
| 19 | BURNT AT BOTH ENDZ | |
| 20 | SMOKEN HOG RODS | |
| 21 | DIXIE BOYS BBQ | |
| 22 | For the Love of Que | |
| 23 | You want me to Smoke What | |
| 24 | GEN QUE | |
| 25 | Smokehouse Swine | |
| 26 | Couzins BBQ | |
| 27 | Sow Manilla Grilla | |
| 28 | MAD HOGS AND AN ENGLISHMAN | |
| 29 | SWEET ASH BBQ | |
| 30 | WATER DAWGZ BBQ | |
| 31 | SMALLEYWOOD BBQ | |
| 32 | 3 pigs smokin | |
| 33 | DUSTY ROADS BBQ | |
| 34 | Get In My Belly BBQ | |
| 35 | LIFT, TILT, AND STAGGER BBQ | |
| 36 | SMOKIN IN THE BOARDROOM | |
| 37 | Fergolicious BBQ | |
| 38 | KC Fine Swine | |
| 39 | JACKWAGON BBQ | |
| 40 | SMOKIN ZEKE'S BBQ | |
| 41 | Partners in Crime | |
| 42 | 4 MEAT SAKES |