A new contest record
705.7144
highest overall ever cooked here
705.7144 is the highest overall score this contest has ever produced — past the 702.8576 RHYTHM 'N QUE set in 2015.
- old record 702.8576
- set 2015 by RHYTHM 'N QUE
Sam's Club National BBQ Tour (Regional) 2016
Sep 16–17, 2016 · Madison, WI
LUCKY'S Q won Grand Champion at the Sam's Club National BBQ Tour (Regional) on September 16, 2016 in Madison, WI, scoring 705.7144 in a field of 30 teams. TOTALLY SAUCED took Reserve Grand Champion with 702.8344. Category winners: Chicken — FOWL BUTT BBQ (178.8572); Pork Ribs — LUCKY'S Q (178.2972); Pork — SMOKIN' HOOKERS BAR-B-Q LLC (179.4400); Brisket — TOTALLY SAUCED (177.1428). This is the 21st of 27 editions of this contest on record; the 2016 edition was won by WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ; 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.
650.13
median 680.23
705.71 🏆
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 178.30
- Pork 179.44
- Brisket 177.14
151.38
179.44
Winning score by edition
What it has taken to win here, 2013 to 2017 — this edition picked out.
Entries
30
4 judged meats
Top score
705.7144
Winning margin
2.8800
GC over RC
Field average
680.05
650.13705.71
median 680.23 · last place to winner
Perfect 180s
0
Tightest race
Chicken
2.8572 pts across the top 5
Top-10 cutoff
685.6228
650.13705.71
10th place overall
Field spread
55.5888
winner to last place
Double threats
4
teams with 2+ top-5 calls
How hot was the win?
Top 12%
beats 88% of 4723 Master Series wins in the data
Came back for more
0%
0 of 30 teams from the previous edition returned
Form held
Strong
ρ = -0.65 between pre-contest rating and finish
Field strength
1,689
avg power rating going in · stronger than 99% 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 27 tracked editions
RHYTHM 'N QUE has won this contest 2 times across its 27 tracked editions.
- 2014
- 2015
A stacked field
1689
average power rating going in
Stronger than 99% of every rated contest
The field averaged a 1689 power rating going in — stronger than 99% of every contest tracked.
- top seed PORKY BUTTS BBQ (1886)
- 30 rated teams
Photo finishes
Tie
closest of 10 calls decided inside half a point
Chicken places 7–8: THE REAL SMOKIN ACES and CASE OF RIBS tied on 174.2972 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Pork Ribs places 6–7: TOTALLY SAUCED and BIG BROTHERS BBQ tied on 173.7144 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Pork Ribs places 9–10: MAC ATTACK BBQ and RUB MY RACK tied on 171.4172 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker.
- Chicken 7–8 · tie
- Pork Ribs 6–7 · tie
- Pork Ribs 9–10 · tie
- Brisket 6–7 · tie
How the title was won
4 of 4
meats called to the stage
LUCKY'S Q took the title on 4 calls from 4 meats, with 1 outright win — their weakest board was pork at 7th.
- Chicken 5th
- Pork Ribs 1st
- Pork 7th
- Brisket 2nd
Back to defend
2
past champions back in the field
Past winners of this contest cooked this edition: THE SMOKE HUNTERS (won 2013), BIG BROTHERS BBQ (won 2014).
- THE SMOKE HUNTERS · 2013
- BIG BROTHERS BBQ · 2014
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 19, 2013 | Las Vegas, NV | Las Vegas, NV | 30 | 667.4280 | TOMBSTONE BBQ | GQUE |
| Jul 5, 2013 | Madison, WI | Madison, WI | 30 | 670.8570 | THE SMOKE HUNTERS | SMOKERS PURGATORY |
| Aug 2, 2013 | Rockford, IL | Rockford, IL | 30 | 683.9544 | TheBBQSuperStore.com | GRILLS GONE WILD IOWA |
| Sep 6, 2013 | Chesapeake, VA | Chesapeake, VA | 30 | 673.6796 | Rhode Hog BBQ | SMOKE THIS |
| Sep 13, 2013 | Hendersonville, TN | Hendersonville, TN | 30 | 697.0972 | MOONSWINERS | Swamp Boys |
| Oct 11, 2013 | Midwest City, OK | Midwest City, OK | 30 | 697.6684 | CAVEMAN CUISINE | IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ |
| Apr 25, 2014 | Las Vegas, NV | Las Vegas, NV | 30 | 685.7140 | RHYTHM 'N QUE | SLAP YO' DADDY BBQ |
| Jul 11, 2014 | Madison, WI | Madison, WI | 29 | 685.0972 | IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ | SECOND CITY SMOKE |
| Aug 1, 2014 | Madison, WI | Madison, WI | 30 | 689.1316 | BIG BROTHERS BBQ | iBQ'n |
| Aug 29, 2014 | Richmond, VA | Richmond, VA | 30 | 673.0740 | CHECKERED FLAG 500 BBQ | THE BBQ GURU |
| Sep 5, 2014 | Southaven, MS | Southaven, MS | 30 | 701.7144 | PIG WHISPERERS | LANG BBQ SMOKERS |
| Sep 19, 2014 | Midwest City, OK | Midwest City, OK | 29 | 694.2288 | CLARK CREW BBQ | CAVEMAN CUISINE |
| Apr 24, 2015 | Las Vegas, NV | Las Vegas, NV | 30 | 702.8576 | RHYTHM 'N QUE | BIG POPPA SMOKERS |
| Aug 7, 2015 | Madison, WI | Madison, WI | 30 | 694.8344 | THE SMOKIN' C'S BBQ | BIG T'Z Q CRU |
| Sep 4, 2015 | Richmond, VA | Richmond, VA | 30 | 688.5488 | ROCKY TOP BARBEQUE | INSANE SWINE BBQ |
| Sep 18, 2015 | Southaven, MS | Southaven, MS | 30 | 701.1200 | CAJUN BLAZE | EAT MOR BUTT BBQ |
| Sep 25, 2015 | Midwest City, OK | Midwest City, OK | 30 | 694.2632 | CLARK CREW BBQ | SMOKEAHOLICS |
| Apr 22, 2016 | Las Vegas, NV | Las Vegas, NV | 30 | 695.4172 | BIG POPPA SMOKERS | SMOKIN MO'S BBQ |
| Jul 1, 2016 | Marietta, GA | Marietta, GA | 30 | 697.6572 | CONTAGIOUS Q | Organizer Portal |
| Aug 26, 2016 | N. Charleston, SC | N. Charleston, SC | 30 | 695.3484 | WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ | SAUCED! BBQ TEAM |
| Sep 16, 2016 ← this one | Madison, WI | Madison, WI | 30 | 705.7144 | LUCKY'S Q | TOTALLY SAUCED |
| Sep 23, 2016 | Midwest City, OK | Midwest City, OK | 30 | 698.8572 | JAESTAR BBQ | SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ |
| Apr 21, 2017 | Las Vegas, NV | Las Vegas, NV | 30 | 706.8572 | BURNIN AND LOOTIN | LOOT N' BOOTY BBQ |
| Jun 30, 2017 | Bartlett, TN | Bartlett, TN | 30 | 704.5488 | SMOKIN BUTT CREW | RAZORRACKS |
| Aug 25, 2017 | Richmond, VA | Richmond, VA | 29 | 698.8228 | SMOKING BUTT HEADS | WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ |
| Sep 15, 2017 | Madison, WI | Madison, WI | 30 | 685.1432 | LUCKY 19 SAUCE COMPANY | iBQ'n |
| Sep 22, 2017 | Edmond, OK | Edmond, OK | 30 | 709.7260 | SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ | JAESTAR BBQ |
What a call cost (the score it took to finish 1st, 5th and 10th)
| Category | 1st | 5th | 10th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken | 178.8572 | 176 | 174.2628 |
| Pork Ribs | 178.2972 | 174.2744 | 171.4172 |
| Pork | 179.4400 | 175.4400 | 173.1200 |
| Brisket | 177.1428 | 174.2856 | 172.5600 |
Official results on kcbs.us ↗
Master Series
Overall
30 entries · top 705.7144 · median 680.2344
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LUCKY'S Q | |
| 2 | TOTALLY SAUCED | |
| 3 | ONE2BBQ | |
| 4 | SMOKIN' HOOKERS BAR-B-Q LLC | |
| 5 | BIG BROTHERS BBQ | |
| 6 | CITY SLICKERS BBQ | |
| 7 | PORKY BUTTS BBQ | |
| 8 | SHIGGIN & GRINNIN | |
| 9 | T-MAC SMOKIN | |
| 10 | FOWL BUTT BBQ | |
| 11 | ABLE ACRES BBQ | |
| 12 | MAC ATTACK BBQ | |
| 13 | THE REAL SMOKIN ACES | |
| 14 | RURAL ROUTE BBQ | |
| 15 | THE SMOKE HUNTERS | |
| 16 | TIM'S FULL BELLI DELI | |
| 17 | RUBBED, SMOKED, AND SAUCED BBQ | |
| 18 | WHEN PIGS DIE | |
| 19 | QUETOPIA | |
| 20 | BO B Q BBQ | |
| 21 | iBQ'n | |
| 22 | CASE OF RIBS | |
| 23 | RUB MY RACK | |
| 24 | SMOKIN' IN THE D | |
| 25 | TRUE SMOKE BBQ | |
| 26 | TEMPLETON RYE WOODFELLAS | |
| 27 | BERKEE RAE'S BBQ | |
| 28 | ROLLIN' SMOKE BBQ SD | |
| 29 | 40 CALIBER BBQ | |
| 30 | CHANNABILLY BBQ |
Chicken
30 entries · top 178.8572 · median 171.4228
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | FOWL BUTT BBQ | |
| 2 | ONE2BBQ | |
| 3 | SMOKIN' HOOKERS BAR-B-Q LLC | |
| 4 | iBQ'n | |
| 5 | LUCKY'S Q | |
| 6 | TRUE SMOKE BBQ | |
| 7 | THE REAL SMOKIN ACES | |
| 8 | CASE OF RIBS | |
| 9 | TOTALLY SAUCED | |
| 10 | RUBBED, SMOKED, AND SAUCED BBQ | |
| 11 | BIG BROTHERS BBQ | |
| 12 | RUB MY RACK | |
| 13 | CITY SLICKERS BBQ | |
| 14 | T-MAC SMOKIN | |
| 15 | ROLLIN' SMOKE BBQ SD | |
| 16 | RURAL ROUTE BBQ | |
| 17 | THE SMOKE HUNTERS | |
| 18 | CHANNABILLY BBQ | |
| 19 | PORKY BUTTS BBQ | |
| 20 | MAC ATTACK BBQ | |
| 21 | ABLE ACRES BBQ | |
| 22 | WHEN PIGS DIE | |
| 23 | QUETOPIA | |
| 24 | BERKEE RAE'S BBQ | |
| 25 | SMOKIN' IN THE D | |
| 26 | TEMPLETON RYE WOODFELLAS | |
| 27 | SHIGGIN & GRINNIN | |
| 28 | 40 CALIBER BBQ | |
| 29 | BO B Q BBQ | |
| 30 | TIM'S FULL BELLI DELI |
Pork Ribs
30 entries · top 178.2972 · median 170.2744
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LUCKY'S Q | |
| 2 | BO B Q BBQ | |
| 3 | PORKY BUTTS BBQ | |
| 4 | TEMPLETON RYE WOODFELLAS | |
| 5 | SHIGGIN & GRINNIN | |
| 6 | TOTALLY SAUCED | |
| 7 | BIG BROTHERS BBQ | |
| 8 | 40 CALIBER BBQ | |
| 9 | MAC ATTACK BBQ | |
| 10 | RUB MY RACK | |
| 11 | RUBBED, SMOKED, AND SAUCED BBQ | |
| 12 | TIM'S FULL BELLI DELI | |
| 13 | RURAL ROUTE BBQ | |
| 14 | SMOKIN' IN THE D | |
| 15 | ONE2BBQ | |
| 16 | CITY SLICKERS BBQ | |
| 17 | SMOKIN' HOOKERS BAR-B-Q LLC | |
| 18 | WHEN PIGS DIE | |
| 19 | BERKEE RAE'S BBQ | |
| 20 | T-MAC SMOKIN | |
| 21 | THE REAL SMOKIN ACES | |
| 22 | TRUE SMOKE BBQ | |
| 23 | CHANNABILLY BBQ | |
| 24 | ABLE ACRES BBQ | |
| 25 | THE SMOKE HUNTERS | |
| 26 | QUETOPIA | |
| 27 | iBQ'n | |
| 28 | FOWL BUTT BBQ | |
| 29 | CASE OF RIBS | |
| 30 | ROLLIN' SMOKE BBQ SD |
Pork
30 entries · top 179.4400 · median 171.1314
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SMOKIN' HOOKERS BAR-B-Q LLC | |
| 2 | TOTALLY SAUCED | |
| 3 | BIG BROTHERS BBQ | |
| 4 | TIM'S FULL BELLI DELI | |
| 5 | SHIGGIN & GRINNIN | |
| 6 | CASE OF RIBS | |
| 7 | LUCKY'S Q | |
| 8 | PORKY BUTTS BBQ | |
| 9 | ABLE ACRES BBQ | |
| 10 | MAC ATTACK BBQ | |
| 11 | FOWL BUTT BBQ | |
| 12 | ONE2BBQ | |
| 13 | T-MAC SMOKIN | |
| 14 | TEMPLETON RYE WOODFELLAS | |
| 15 | CITY SLICKERS BBQ | |
| 16 | RUBBED, SMOKED, AND SAUCED BBQ | |
| 17 | QUETOPIA | |
| 18 | THE SMOKE HUNTERS | |
| 19 | THE REAL SMOKIN ACES | |
| 20 | WHEN PIGS DIE | |
| 21 | BERKEE RAE'S BBQ | |
| 22 | TRUE SMOKE BBQ | |
| 23 | RURAL ROUTE BBQ | |
| 24 | ROLLIN' SMOKE BBQ SD | |
| 25 | BO B Q BBQ | |
| 26 | SMOKIN' IN THE D | |
| 27 | iBQ'n | |
| 28 | RUB MY RACK | |
| 29 | CHANNABILLY BBQ | |
| 30 | 40 CALIBER BBQ |
Brisket
30 entries · top 177.1428 · median 171.1256
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | TOTALLY SAUCED | |
| 2 | LUCKY'S Q | |
| 3 | ABLE ACRES BBQ | |
| 4 | CITY SLICKERS BBQ | |
| 5 | T-MAC SMOKIN | |
| 6 | ONE2BBQ | |
| 7 | iBQ'n | |
| 8 | QUETOPIA | |
| 9 | SHIGGIN & GRINNIN | |
| 10 | THE SMOKE HUNTERS | |
| 11 | RURAL ROUTE BBQ | |
| 12 | FOWL BUTT BBQ | |
| 13 | SMOKIN' IN THE D | |
| 14 | BO B Q BBQ | |
| 15 | WHEN PIGS DIE | |
| 16 | MAC ATTACK BBQ | |
| 17 | TIM'S FULL BELLI DELI | |
| 18 | THE REAL SMOKIN ACES | |
| 19 | PORKY BUTTS BBQ | |
| 20 | RUB MY RACK | |
| 21 | CASE OF RIBS | |
| 22 | SMOKIN' HOOKERS BAR-B-Q LLC | |
| 23 | BIG BROTHERS BBQ | |
| 24 | RUBBED, SMOKED, AND SAUCED BBQ | |
| 25 | ROLLIN' SMOKE BBQ SD | |
| 26 | TRUE SMOKE BBQ | |
| 27 | BERKEE RAE'S BBQ | |
| 28 | 40 CALIBER BBQ | |
| 29 | TEMPLETON RYE WOODFELLAS | |
| 30 | CHANNABILLY BBQ |