A new contest record
702.2972
highest overall ever cooked here
702.2972 is the highest overall score this contest has ever produced — past the 687.3484 SMOKEY HOG ISLAND LUV set in 2014.
- old record 687.3484
- set 2014 by SMOKEY HOG ISLAND LUV
Smoke on the River 2016
Oct 14–15, 2016 · Sacramento, CA · 📍 Miller Park, 2710 Ramp Wa
Smokey and the Pirate won Grand Champion at the Smoke on the River on October 14, 2016 in Sacramento, CA at Miller Park, 2710 Ramp Wa, scoring 702.2972 in a field of 38 teams. TOO ASHAMED TO NAME took Reserve Grand Champion with 677.6344. Category winners: Chicken — Smokey and the Pirate (180.0000); Pork Ribs — BLUE RIDGE SMOKERS (178.8572); Pork — Pops BBQ 22 (172.5716); Brisket — Smokey and the Pirate (174.3200). This is the 5th of 7 editions of this contest on record; the 2015 edition was won by SIMPLY MARVELOUS BBQ; the next was held in 2023.
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.
384.98
median 627.67
702.30 🏆
How the meats cooked
Every board on one scale — the bar runs last score to first, the dot is the median.
- Chicken 180 🔥
- Pork Ribs 178.86
- Pork 172.57
- Brisket 174.32
104.01
180
Winning score by edition
What it has taken to win here, 2013 to 2024 — this edition picked out.
Entries
38
4 judged meats
Top score
702.2972
Winning margin
24.6628
GC over RC
Field average
621.94
384.98702.30
median 627.67 · last place to winner
Tightest race
Pork
5.7604 pts across the top 5
Top-10 cutoff
650.7312
384.98702.30
10th place overall
Field spread
317.3144
winner to last place
Double threats
6
teams with 2+ top-5 calls
How hot was the win?
Top 23%
beats 77% of 4711 Master Series wins in the data
Came back for more
35%
17 of 49 teams from the previous edition returned
Form held
Strong
ρ = -0.67 between pre-contest rating and finish
Field strength
1,526
avg power rating going in · stronger than 18% of contests
Storylines (9 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 statement win
24.6628
points clear of the field
Wider than 100% of the 4,710 championships in the data
The champion won by 24.6628 points — a wider margin than 100% of championships in the data.
A dynasty in the making
2×
wins at this contest
2 of 7 tracked editions
SMOKEY HOG ISLAND LUV has won this contest 2 times across its 7 tracked editions.
- 2014
- 2016
Photo finishes
0.0116
closest of 11 calls decided inside half a point
Chicken places 6–7: GIT-R-SMOKED edged RBQ by 0.0116. Chicken places 5–6: DADDY O'S SMOKIN' BBQ edged GIT-R-SMOKED by 0.0228. Chicken places 8–9: Pops BBQ 22 edged BONES 'N BREWS BBQ by 0.0228.
- Chicken 6–7 · 0.0116
- Chicken 5–6 · 0.0228
- Chicken 8–9 · 0.0228
- Pork 9–10 · 0.0228
A double category winner
2
category wins in a day
Smokey and the Pirate won Chicken, Brisket — a double, and took the Grand Championship on top of it.
- Chicken 1st
- Brisket 1st
How the title was won
4 of 4
meats called to the stage
Smokey and the Pirate took the title on 4 calls from 4 meats, with 2 outright wins — their weakest board was pork ribs at 2nd.
- Chicken 1st
- Pork Ribs 2nd
- Pork 2nd
- Brisket 1st
A contest record in chicken
180.0000
best chicken ever cooked here
Smokey and the Pirate turned in 180.0000 in chicken — past the 178.2972 that had stood across 4 earlier editions.
- old best 178.2972
- across 4 past editions
Back to defend
1
past champions back in the field
Past winners of this contest cooked this edition: SIMPLY MARVELOUS BBQ (won 2015).
- SIMPLY MARVELOUS BBQ · 2015
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.
- Smokey and the Pirate · Chicken
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 6, 2013 | Quincy, IL | Quincy, IL | 28 | 684.5368 | GILLY'S BBQ | THE SMOKING HILLS |
| Sep 5, 2014 | Quincy, IL | Quincy, IL 62301 | 21 | 685.7260 | ONE2BBQ | SMOKIN' BUTTS |
| Sep 5, 2014 | Sacramento, CA | Sacramento, CA 95818 | 26 | 687.3484 | SMOKEY HOG ISLAND LUV | MY SMOKIN GRILLFRIEND |
| Sep 18, 2015 | Sacramento, CA | Sacramento, CA 95816 | 49 | 678.2856 | SIMPLY MARVELOUS BBQ | MY SMOKIN GRILLFRIEND |
| Oct 14, 2016 ← this one | Sacramento, CA | Miller Park, 2710 Ramp Wa | 38 | 702.2972 | SMOKEY HOG ISLAND LUV | TOO ASHAMED TO NAME |
| Sep 1, 2023 | Burlington, KS | 625 S. 3rd St. | 20 | 699.9544 | GETTIN' BASTED | JANKY LEG BBQ |
| Aug 31, 2024 | Burlington, KS | 625 S. 3rd St. | 28 | 707.3944 | Slaps BBQ | Can Country Outlaw BBQ |
What a call cost (the score it took to finish 1st, 5th and 10th)
| Category | 1st | 5th | 10th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken | 180 | 171.4400 | 170.2972 |
| Pork Ribs | 178.8572 | 169.1200 | 166.8344 |
| Pork | 172.5716 | 166.8112 | 161.6800 |
| Brisket | 174.3200 | 163.9656 | 162.2628 |
Official results on kcbs.us ↗
Master Series
Overall
38 entries · top 702.2972 · median 627.6686
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smokey and the Pirate | |
| 2 | TOO ASHAMED TO NAME | |
| 3 | Pops BBQ 22 | |
| 4 | SON OF SMOKE | |
| 5 | GIT-R-SMOKED | |
| 6 | SMOKIN FAT BOYS BBQ | |
| 7 | 2 ROLLING BONES | |
| 8 | The Smoking J's | |
| 9 | SIMPLY MARVELOUS BBQ | |
| 10 | NUTIN2IT BUT2QIT | |
| 11 | PIRATES OF THE PIG | |
| 12 | DADDY O'S SMOKIN' BBQ | |
| 13 | BLUE RIDGE SMOKERS | |
| 14 | BONES 'N BREWS BBQ | |
| 15 | RBQ | |
| 16 | BAR-B-Q'S-2GO | |
| 17 | BIG O & MO BBQ | |
| 18 | Saltworks | |
| 19 | SMOKED SEDUCTION | |
| 20 | UP IN SMOKE | |
| 21 | FAT DAD'S BBQ | |
| 22 | FIVE HUNDY BBQ | |
| 23 | Smokin' the 916 | |
| 24 | PAPA BOBS BACKYARD BBQ | |
| 25 | A ROLLIN' SMOKE | |
| 26 | SMOKIN SLABZ | |
| 27 | OLD CHICO BBQ | |
| 28 | COWABUNGA BBQ | |
| 29 | SMOKIN' BLISS BBQ | |
| 30 | OLD TOWN FRANKLIN BBQ | |
| 31 | BEAUFORE FAMILY BBQ | |
| 32 | PIPIN' HOT SMOKERS BBQ | |
| 33 | FATTY DRIPPINS | |
| 34 | ZOMBBQ | |
| 35 | CHERRY LANE SMOKERS | |
| 36 | THE SMOKIN GROVENATORS | |
| 37 | J&J Smokin BBQ | |
| 38 | Pit Perfection |
Chicken
38 entries · top 180 · median 161.1200 · 🔥 perfect 180
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smokey and the Pirate | |
| 2 | SIMPLY MARVELOUS BBQ | |
| 3 | SON OF SMOKE | |
| 4 | TOO ASHAMED TO NAME | |
| 5 | DADDY O'S SMOKIN' BBQ | |
| 6 | GIT-R-SMOKED | |
| 7 | RBQ | |
| 8 | Pops BBQ 22 | |
| 9 | BONES 'N BREWS BBQ | |
| 10 | The Smoking J's | |
| 11 | FIVE HUNDY BBQ | |
| 12 | SMOKIN FAT BOYS BBQ | |
| 13 | PIRATES OF THE PIG | |
| 14 | NUTIN2IT BUT2QIT | |
| 15 | 2 ROLLING BONES | |
| 16 | A ROLLIN' SMOKE | |
| 17 | BIG O & MO BBQ | |
| 18 | FAT DAD'S BBQ | |
| 19 | THE SMOKIN GROVENATORS | |
| 20 | PAPA BOBS BACKYARD BBQ | |
| 21 | OLD CHICO BBQ | |
| 22 | SMOKIN SLABZ | |
| 23 | UP IN SMOKE | |
| 24 | SMOKIN' BLISS BBQ | |
| 25 | Saltworks | |
| 26 | BLUE RIDGE SMOKERS | |
| 27 | Smokin' the 916 | |
| 28 | ZOMBBQ | |
| 29 | PIPIN' HOT SMOKERS BBQ | |
| 30 | BEAUFORE FAMILY BBQ | |
| 31 | BAR-B-Q'S-2GO | |
| 32 | SMOKED SEDUCTION | |
| 33 | FATTY DRIPPINS | |
| 34 | COWABUNGA BBQ | |
| 35 | OLD TOWN FRANKLIN BBQ | |
| 36 | Pit Perfection | |
| 37 | CHERRY LANE SMOKERS | |
| 38 | J&J Smokin BBQ |
Pork Ribs
38 entries · top 178.8572 · median 162.2972
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | BLUE RIDGE SMOKERS | |
| 2 | Smokey and the Pirate | |
| 3 | GIT-R-SMOKED | |
| 4 | SMOKIN SLABZ | |
| 5 | SMOKIN FAT BOYS BBQ | |
| 6 | PIRATES OF THE PIG | |
| 7 | A ROLLIN' SMOKE | |
| 8 | FAT DAD'S BBQ | |
| 9 | UP IN SMOKE | |
| 10 | SMOKED SEDUCTION | |
| 11 | PAPA BOBS BACKYARD BBQ | |
| 12 | 2 ROLLING BONES | |
| 13 | TOO ASHAMED TO NAME | |
| 14 | BAR-B-Q'S-2GO | |
| 15 | Smokin' the 916 | |
| 16 | Pops BBQ 22 | |
| 17 | The Smoking J's | |
| 18 | NUTIN2IT BUT2QIT | |
| 19 | COWABUNGA BBQ | |
| 20 | BIG O & MO BBQ | |
| 21 | Saltworks | |
| 22 | SON OF SMOKE | |
| 23 | FIVE HUNDY BBQ | |
| 24 | OLD TOWN FRANKLIN BBQ | |
| 25 | BEAUFORE FAMILY BBQ | |
| 26 | PIPIN' HOT SMOKERS BBQ | |
| 27 | OLD CHICO BBQ | |
| 28 | CHERRY LANE SMOKERS | |
| 29 | DADDY O'S SMOKIN' BBQ | |
| 30 | SIMPLY MARVELOUS BBQ | |
| 31 | SMOKIN' BLISS BBQ | |
| 32 | BONES 'N BREWS BBQ | |
| 33 | FATTY DRIPPINS | |
| 34 | THE SMOKIN GROVENATORS | |
| 35 | ZOMBBQ | |
| 36 | J&J Smokin BBQ | |
| 37 | RBQ | |
| 38 | Pit Perfection |
Pork
37 entries · top 172.5716 · median 154.2856
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pops BBQ 22 | |
| 2 | Smokey and the Pirate | |
| 3 | SON OF SMOKE | |
| 4 | DADDY O'S SMOKIN' BBQ | |
| 5 | SMOKIN FAT BOYS BBQ | |
| 6 | TOO ASHAMED TO NAME | |
| 7 | BONES 'N BREWS BBQ | |
| 8 | BIG O & MO BBQ | |
| 9 | 2 ROLLING BONES | |
| 10 | SIMPLY MARVELOUS BBQ | |
| 11 | RBQ | |
| 12 | GIT-R-SMOKED | |
| 13 | COWABUNGA BBQ | |
| 14 | NUTIN2IT BUT2QIT | |
| 15 | BLUE RIDGE SMOKERS | |
| 16 | The Smoking J's | |
| 17 | PIRATES OF THE PIG | |
| 18 | ZOMBBQ | |
| 19 | BAR-B-Q'S-2GO | |
| 20 | J&J Smokin BBQ | |
| 21 | SMOKED SEDUCTION | |
| 22 | FIVE HUNDY BBQ | |
| 23 | Saltworks | |
| 24 | Smokin' the 916 | |
| 25 | A ROLLIN' SMOKE | |
| 26 | FAT DAD'S BBQ | |
| 27 | FATTY DRIPPINS | |
| 28 | OLD CHICO BBQ | |
| 29 | CHERRY LANE SMOKERS | |
| 30 | UP IN SMOKE | |
| 31 | SMOKIN SLABZ | |
| 32 | PIPIN' HOT SMOKERS BBQ | |
| 33 | SMOKIN' BLISS BBQ | |
| 34 | OLD TOWN FRANKLIN BBQ | |
| 35 | BEAUFORE FAMILY BBQ | |
| 36 | PAPA BOBS BACKYARD BBQ | |
| 37 | THE SMOKIN GROVENATORS |
Brisket
38 entries · top 174.3200 · median 154.8286
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smokey and the Pirate | |
| 2 | TOO ASHAMED TO NAME | |
| 3 | Pops BBQ 22 | |
| 4 | NUTIN2IT BUT2QIT | |
| 5 | RBQ | |
| 6 | The Smoking J's | |
| 7 | SIMPLY MARVELOUS BBQ | |
| 8 | 2 ROLLING BONES | |
| 9 | BAR-B-Q'S-2GO | |
| 10 | SON OF SMOKE | |
| 11 | Saltworks | |
| 12 | PIRATES OF THE PIG | |
| 13 | SMOKED SEDUCTION | |
| 14 | SMOKIN FAT BOYS BBQ | |
| 15 | OLD TOWN FRANKLIN BBQ | |
| 16 | GIT-R-SMOKED | |
| 17 | PAPA BOBS BACKYARD BBQ | |
| 18 | OLD CHICO BBQ | |
| 19 | DADDY O'S SMOKIN' BBQ | |
| 20 | UP IN SMOKE | |
| 21 | SMOKIN' BLISS BBQ | |
| 22 | Smokin' the 916 | |
| 23 | BONES 'N BREWS BBQ | |
| 24 | FATTY DRIPPINS | |
| 25 | BLUE RIDGE SMOKERS | |
| 26 | BIG O & MO BBQ | |
| 27 | SMOKIN SLABZ | |
| 28 | FAT DAD'S BBQ | |
| 29 | BEAUFORE FAMILY BBQ | |
| 30 | FIVE HUNDY BBQ | |
| 31 | A ROLLIN' SMOKE | |
| 32 | COWABUNGA BBQ | |
| 33 | CHERRY LANE SMOKERS | |
| 34 | THE SMOKIN GROVENATORS | |
| 35 | PIPIN' HOT SMOKERS BBQ | |
| 36 | ZOMBBQ | |
| 37 | Pit Perfection | |
| 38 | J&J Smokin BBQ |