A day of perfect scores
3
perfect 180s
3 perfect 180s were scored at this contest — every judge at the table handing back a nine.
- ROCKY TOP BARBEQUE · Chicken
- BLUE CHIP BBQ · Chicken
- SWIGGIN PIG · Chicken
Bloomin' BBQ & Bluegrass 2018
May 18–19, 2018 · Sevierville, TN · 📍 Court Avenue
SAUCED! BBQ TEAM won Grand Champion at the Bloomin' BBQ & Bluegrass on May 18, 2018 in Sevierville, TN at Court Avenue, scoring 701.0856 in a field of 43 teams. HOT COLE'S BBQ took Reserve Grand Champion with 693.6344. Category winners: Chicken — ROCKY TOP BARBEQUE (180.0000); Pork Ribs — SAUCED! BBQ TEAM (178.8572); Pork — K-TOWN DADDY'S BBQ (177.1428); Brisket — CONTAGIOUS Q (177.7028). This is the 5th of 6 editions of this contest on record; the 2017 edition was won by CHECKERED PIG; the next was held in 2019.
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.
592.86
median 662.10
701.09 🏆
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 177.14
- Brisket 177.70
120.91
180
Winning score by edition
What it has taken to win here, 2013 to 2019 — this edition picked out.
Entries
43
4 judged meats · 4 ancillary
Top score
701.0856
Winning margin
7.4512
GC over RC
Field average
658.45
592.86701.09
median 662.10 · last place to winner
Tightest race
Chicken
2.2972 pts across the top 5
Top-10 cutoff
685.0396
592.86701.09
10th place overall
Field spread
108.2288
winner to last place
Double threats
4
teams with 2+ top-5 calls
How hot was the win?
Top 29%
beats 71% of 4714 Master Series wins in the data
Came back for more
61%
30 of 49 teams from the previous edition returned
Form held
Strong
ρ = -0.79 between pre-contest rating and finish
Field strength
1,588
avg power rating going in · stronger than 69% of contests
Storylines (4 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 6 tracked editions
CHECKERED PIG has won this contest 2 times across its 6 tracked editions.
- 2016
- 2017
Photo finishes
Tie
closest of 14 calls decided inside half a point
Chicken places 1–2: ROCKY TOP BARBEQUE and BLUE CHIP BBQ tied on 180.0000 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Chicken places 2–3: BLUE CHIP BBQ and SWIGGIN PIG tied on 180.0000 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Chicken places 4–5: EXTRA MILE BBQ and HOT COLE'S BBQ tied on 177.7028 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker.
- Chicken 1–2 · tie
- Chicken 2–3 · tie
- Chicken 4–5 · tie
- Chicken 8–9 · tie
How the title was won
3 of 4
meats called to the stage
SAUCED! BBQ TEAM took the title on 3 calls from 4 meats, with 1 outright win — their weakest board was chicken at 21st.
- Chicken 21st
- Pork Ribs 1st
- Pork 2nd
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 17, 2013 | Sevierville, TN | Sevierville, TN | 47 | 694.8568 | WARREN COUNTY PORK CHOPPERS | FOWL BUTT BBQ |
| May 16, 2014 | Sevierville, TN | Sevierville, TN 37862 | 56 | 693.6456 | MOTLEY QUE CREW | SAUCED! BBQ TEAM |
| May 20, 2016 | Sevierville, TN | 102 Court Ave | 46 | 706.2628 | CHECKERED PIG | LATE NIGHT WHISKEY SMOKERS |
| May 19, 2017 | Sevierville, TN | Court Avenue | 49 | 702.2744 | CHECKERED PIG | ROCKY TOP BARBEQUE |
| May 18, 2018 ← this one | Sevierville, TN | Court Avenue | 43 | 701.0856 | SAUCED! BBQ TEAM | HOT COLE'S BBQ |
| May 17, 2019 | Sevierville, TN | Court Avenue | 43 | 696.5372 | UNDER THE RADAR | HOT COLE'S BBQ |
What a call cost (the score it took to finish 1st, 5th and 10th)
| Category | 1st | 5th | 10th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken | 180 | 177.7028 | 171.4172 |
| Pork Ribs | 178.8572 | 173.1084 | 170.8344 |
| Pork | 177.1428 | 173.1200 | 171.9772 |
| Brisket | 177.7028 | 174.2628 | 170.2628 |
Official results on kcbs.us ↗
Master Series
Overall
43 entries · top 701.0856 · median 662.1028
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SAUCED! BBQ TEAM | |
| 2 | HOT COLE'S BBQ | |
| 3 | EXTRA MILE BBQ | |
| 4 | CONTAGIOUS Q | |
| 5 | BLUE CHIP BBQ | |
| 6 | UNDER THE RADAR | |
| 7 | SMOKING BUTT HEADS | |
| 8 | K-TOWN DADDY'S BBQ | |
| 9 | ROCKY TOP BARBEQUE | |
| 10 | BAR-B-Q 101 | |
| 11 | SWIGGIN PIG | |
| 12 | HARLAN CO. COAL BURNERS | |
| 13 | SMOKE ON THIS | |
| 14 | Q FACTOR | |
| 15 | SMOKIN NC | |
| 16 | E.T.'S BBQ | |
| 17 | FIREHOUSE SMOKERS TN | |
| 18 | TASTE OF GRACE | |
| 19 | HOGGY BOTTOM BOYS | |
| 20 | WOOD N PIG SMOKERS | |
| 21 | RIVER ROAD GRILLBILLIES | |
| 22 | SMOKIN MEDICINE | |
| 23 | Q-WE-DO BBQ | |
| 24 | SOGGY BOTTOM SMOKERS | |
| 25 | UNCLE BUTCH BBQ | |
| 26 | FOWL BUTT BBQ | |
| 27 | LATE NIGHT WHISKEY SMOKERS | |
| 28 | SMOKEY MOUNTAIN SMOKERS | |
| 29 | BULLHEADED BBQ | |
| 30 | SONS OF SMOKE | |
| 31 | G-QUE KY | |
| 32 | OLE SMOKEY BARBECUE CREW | |
| 33 | BABE'S BBQ | |
| 34 | Q SMOKE | |
| 35 | LAST SMOKER STANDING | |
| 36 | HAMOUFLAGE | |
| 37 | CAUGHT BY THE FIRE | |
| 38 | GRILLIN' GANGSTERS | |
| 39 | SMOKIN'SS | |
| 40 | SNORING HOGS BBQ | |
| 41 | SYCK WILLY | |
| 42 | JERRY'S TENDER BUTT BBQ | |
| 43 | MCCLOUD MOUNTAIN SMOKERS |
Chicken
43 entries · top 180 · median 166.8228 · 🔥 perfect 180
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ROCKY TOP BARBEQUE | |
| 2 | BLUE CHIP BBQ | |
| 3 | SWIGGIN PIG | |
| 4 | EXTRA MILE BBQ | |
| 5 | HOT COLE'S BBQ | |
| 6 | SMOKE ON THIS | |
| 7 | SMOKING BUTT HEADS | |
| 8 | K-TOWN DADDY'S BBQ | |
| 9 | SOGGY BOTTOM SMOKERS | |
| 10 | CONTAGIOUS Q | |
| 11 | RIVER ROAD GRILLBILLIES | |
| 12 | UNDER THE RADAR | |
| 13 | WOOD N PIG SMOKERS | |
| 14 | E.T.'S BBQ | |
| 15 | SMOKIN NC | |
| 16 | Q FACTOR | |
| 17 | TASTE OF GRACE | |
| 18 | FIREHOUSE SMOKERS TN | |
| 19 | Q SMOKE | |
| 20 | SMOKEY MOUNTAIN SMOKERS | |
| 21 | SAUCED! BBQ TEAM | |
| 22 | SNORING HOGS BBQ | |
| 23 | HOGGY BOTTOM BOYS | |
| 24 | BAR-B-Q 101 | |
| 25 | BULLHEADED BBQ | |
| 26 | LATE NIGHT WHISKEY SMOKERS | |
| 27 | SONS OF SMOKE | |
| 28 | UNCLE BUTCH BBQ | |
| 29 | BABE'S BBQ | |
| 30 | OLE SMOKEY BARBECUE CREW | |
| 31 | HARLAN CO. COAL BURNERS | |
| 32 | SMOKIN MEDICINE | |
| 33 | Q-WE-DO BBQ | |
| 34 | G-QUE KY | |
| 35 | CAUGHT BY THE FIRE | |
| 36 | FOWL BUTT BBQ | |
| 37 | SMOKIN'SS | |
| 38 | LAST SMOKER STANDING | |
| 39 | HAMOUFLAGE | |
| 40 | GRILLIN' GANGSTERS | |
| 41 | MCCLOUD MOUNTAIN SMOKERS | |
| 42 | JERRY'S TENDER BUTT BBQ | |
| 43 | SYCK WILLY |
Pork Ribs
43 entries · top 178.8572 · median 167.3944
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SAUCED! BBQ TEAM | |
| 2 | G-QUE KY | |
| 3 | Q-WE-DO BBQ | |
| 4 | BAR-B-Q 101 | |
| 5 | SMOKE ON THIS | |
| 6 | HOT COLE'S BBQ | |
| 7 | SMOKING BUTT HEADS | |
| 8 | SWIGGIN PIG | |
| 9 | BLUE CHIP BBQ | |
| 10 | UNDER THE RADAR | |
| 11 | CONTAGIOUS Q | |
| 12 | SMOKIN NC | |
| 13 | SONS OF SMOKE | |
| 14 | OLE SMOKEY BARBECUE CREW | |
| 15 | FIREHOUSE SMOKERS TN | |
| 16 | TASTE OF GRACE | |
| 17 | HARLAN CO. COAL BURNERS | |
| 18 | ROCKY TOP BARBEQUE | |
| 19 | EXTRA MILE BBQ | |
| 20 | E.T.'S BBQ | |
| 21 | K-TOWN DADDY'S BBQ | |
| 22 | SOGGY BOTTOM SMOKERS | |
| 23 | Q SMOKE | |
| 24 | UNCLE BUTCH BBQ | |
| 25 | Q FACTOR | |
| 26 | WOOD N PIG SMOKERS | |
| 27 | FOWL BUTT BBQ | |
| 28 | SMOKIN MEDICINE | |
| 29 | BULLHEADED BBQ | |
| 30 | SMOKIN'SS | |
| 31 | LATE NIGHT WHISKEY SMOKERS | |
| 32 | HOGGY BOTTOM BOYS | |
| 33 | GRILLIN' GANGSTERS | |
| 34 | LAST SMOKER STANDING | |
| 35 | SMOKEY MOUNTAIN SMOKERS | |
| 36 | SYCK WILLY | |
| 37 | BABE'S BBQ | |
| 38 | CAUGHT BY THE FIRE | |
| 39 | HAMOUFLAGE | |
| 40 | RIVER ROAD GRILLBILLIES | |
| 41 | MCCLOUD MOUNTAIN SMOKERS | |
| 42 | JERRY'S TENDER BUTT BBQ | |
| 43 | SNORING HOGS BBQ |
Pork
43 entries · top 177.1428 · median 166.2400
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | K-TOWN DADDY'S BBQ | |
| 2 | SAUCED! BBQ TEAM | |
| 3 | HOT COLE'S BBQ | |
| 4 | UNDER THE RADAR | |
| 5 | Q FACTOR | |
| 6 | HARLAN CO. COAL BURNERS | |
| 7 | EXTRA MILE BBQ | |
| 8 | SMOKIN MEDICINE | |
| 9 | HAMOUFLAGE | |
| 10 | BABE'S BBQ | |
| 11 | SMOKING BUTT HEADS | |
| 12 | FOWL BUTT BBQ | |
| 13 | CONTAGIOUS Q | |
| 14 | RIVER ROAD GRILLBILLIES | |
| 15 | BAR-B-Q 101 | |
| 16 | HOGGY BOTTOM BOYS | |
| 17 | BLUE CHIP BBQ | |
| 18 | SONS OF SMOKE | |
| 19 | CAUGHT BY THE FIRE | |
| 20 | LATE NIGHT WHISKEY SMOKERS | |
| 21 | FIREHOUSE SMOKERS TN | |
| 22 | SYCK WILLY | |
| 23 | UNCLE BUTCH BBQ | |
| 24 | TASTE OF GRACE | |
| 25 | Q-WE-DO BBQ | |
| 26 | ROCKY TOP BARBEQUE | |
| 27 | JERRY'S TENDER BUTT BBQ | |
| 28 | SMOKIN NC | |
| 29 | BULLHEADED BBQ | |
| 30 | OLE SMOKEY BARBECUE CREW | |
| 31 | E.T.'S BBQ | |
| 32 | SMOKE ON THIS | |
| 33 | SMOKEY MOUNTAIN SMOKERS | |
| 34 | LAST SMOKER STANDING | |
| 35 | SOGGY BOTTOM SMOKERS | |
| 36 | WOOD N PIG SMOKERS | |
| 37 | SNORING HOGS BBQ | |
| 38 | SWIGGIN PIG | |
| 39 | GRILLIN' GANGSTERS | |
| 40 | G-QUE KY | |
| 41 | Q SMOKE | |
| 42 | SMOKIN'SS | |
| 43 | MCCLOUD MOUNTAIN SMOKERS |
Brisket
43 entries · top 177.7028 · median 165.0972
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CONTAGIOUS Q | |
| 2 | SAUCED! BBQ TEAM | |
| 3 | BAR-B-Q 101 | |
| 4 | HARLAN CO. COAL BURNERS | |
| 5 | EXTRA MILE BBQ | |
| 6 | RIVER ROAD GRILLBILLIES | |
| 7 | ROCKY TOP BARBEQUE | |
| 8 | UNDER THE RADAR | |
| 9 | WOOD N PIG SMOKERS | |
| 10 | SWIGGIN PIG | |
| 11 | HOGGY BOTTOM BOYS | |
| 12 | E.T.'S BBQ | |
| 13 | BLUE CHIP BBQ | |
| 14 | SMOKEY MOUNTAIN SMOKERS | |
| 15 | SMOKING BUTT HEADS | |
| 16 | K-TOWN DADDY'S BBQ | |
| 17 | HOT COLE'S BBQ | |
| 18 | SMOKIN NC | |
| 19 | SMOKIN MEDICINE | |
| 20 | LAST SMOKER STANDING | |
| 21 | Q FACTOR | |
| 22 | BULLHEADED BBQ | |
| 23 | LATE NIGHT WHISKEY SMOKERS | |
| 24 | FIREHOUSE SMOKERS TN | |
| 25 | FOWL BUTT BBQ | |
| 26 | SMOKE ON THIS | |
| 27 | TASTE OF GRACE | |
| 28 | UNCLE BUTCH BBQ | |
| 29 | Q-WE-DO BBQ | |
| 30 | G-QUE KY | |
| 31 | SOGGY BOTTOM SMOKERS | |
| 32 | SNORING HOGS BBQ | |
| 33 | HAMOUFLAGE | |
| 34 | Q SMOKE | |
| 35 | GRILLIN' GANGSTERS | |
| 36 | MCCLOUD MOUNTAIN SMOKERS | |
| 37 | OLE SMOKEY BARBECUE CREW | |
| 38 | CAUGHT BY THE FIRE | |
| 39 | BABE'S BBQ | |
| 40 | SYCK WILLY | |
| 41 | SMOKIN'SS | |
| 42 | SONS OF SMOKE | |
| 43 | JERRY'S TENDER BUTT BBQ |
Ancillary categories
Run by the organizers alongside the sanctioned contest. These are judged on their own terms and do not count toward the overall score, so they're kept out of the meat stats above.
Master Series — Bush'S Beans
40 entries · top 180 · median 157.4286 · 🔥 perfect 180
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | GRILLIN' GANGSTERS | |
| 2 | EXTRA MILE BBQ | |
| 3 | WOOD N PIG SMOKERS | |
| 4 | BABE'S BBQ | |
| 5 | SAUCED! BBQ TEAM | |
| 6 | TASTE OF GRACE | |
| 7 | SMOKIN NC | |
| 8 | CAUGHT BY THE FIRE | |
| 9 | SMOKIN MEDICINE | |
| 10 | JERRY'S TENDER BUTT BBQ | |
| 11 | SMOKING BUTT HEADS | |
| 12 | SMOKIN'SS | |
| 13 | SNORING HOGS BBQ | |
| 14 | RIVER ROAD GRILLBILLIES | |
| 15 | CONTAGIOUS Q | |
| 16 | BLUE CHIP BBQ | |
| 17 | K-TOWN DADDY'S BBQ | |
| 18 | HAMOUFLAGE | |
| 19 | FIREHOUSE SMOKERS TN | |
| 20 | SOGGY BOTTOM SMOKERS | |
| 21 | G-QUE KY | |
| 22 | UNCLE BUTCH BBQ | |
| 23 | SWIGGIN PIG | |
| 24 | SONS OF SMOKE | |
| 25 | HOT COLE'S BBQ | |
| 26 | UNDER THE RADAR | |
| 27 | SMOKE ON THIS | |
| 28 | Q-WE-DO BBQ | |
| 29 | OLE SMOKEY BARBECUE CREW | |
| 30 | Q FACTOR | |
| 31 | SMOKEY MOUNTAIN SMOKERS | |
| 32 | LAST SMOKER STANDING | |
| 33 | Carolina Rib King | |
| 34 | ROCKY TOP BARBEQUE | |
| 35 | MCCLOUD MOUNTAIN SMOKERS | |
| 36 | BULLHEADED BBQ | |
| 37 | SYCK WILLY | |
| 38 | FOWL BUTT BBQ | |
| 39 | HOGGY BOTTOM BOYS | |
| 40 | BAR-B-Q 101 |
Master Series — Dessert
23 entries · top 180 · median 172 · 🔥 perfect 180
Master Series — Sauce
36 entries · top 180 · median 157.0740 · 🔥 perfect 180
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | FOWL BUTT BBQ | |
| 2 | BLUE CHIP BBQ | |
| 3 | UNDER THE RADAR | |
| 4 | SMOKE ON THIS | |
| 5 | CAUGHT BY THE FIRE | |
| 6 | SMOKIN NC | |
| 7 | FIREHOUSE SMOKERS TN | |
| 8 | SWIGGIN PIG | |
| 9 | MCCLOUD MOUNTAIN SMOKERS | |
| 10 | OLE SMOKEY BARBECUE CREW | |
| 11 | LATE NIGHT WHISKEY SMOKERS | |
| 12 | BULLHEADED BBQ | |
| 13 | SOGGY BOTTOM SMOKERS | |
| 14 | BAR-B-Q 101 | |
| 15 | SAUCED! BBQ TEAM | |
| 16 | RIVER ROAD GRILLBILLIES | |
| 17 | HOT COLE'S BBQ | |
| 18 | SONS OF SMOKE | |
| 19 | ROCKY TOP BARBEQUE | |
| 20 | K-TOWN DADDY'S BBQ | |
| 21 | HAMOUFLAGE | |
| 22 | SMOKING BUTT HEADS | |
| 23 | Q-WE-DO BBQ | |
| 24 | WOOD N PIG SMOKERS | |
| 25 | G-QUE KY | |
| 26 | EXTRA MILE BBQ | |
| 27 | GRILLIN' GANGSTERS | |
| 28 | SMOKIN MEDICINE | |
| 29 | TASTE OF GRACE | |
| 30 | LAST SMOKER STANDING | |
| 31 | SMOKEY MOUNTAIN SMOKERS | |
| 32 | BABE'S BBQ | |
| 33 | UNCLE BUTCH BBQ | |
| 34 | SYCK WILLY | |
| 35 | SMOKIN'SS | |
| 36 | JERRY'S TENDER BUTT BBQ |
Master Series — Swaggerty'S Sausage
38 entries · top 176.0228 · median 158.5714
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | HAMOUFLAGE | |
| 2 | SONS OF SMOKE | |
| 3 | CAUGHT BY THE FIRE | |
| 4 | UNCLE BUTCH BBQ | |
| 5 | SMOKING BUTT HEADS | |
| 6 | SMOKIN MEDICINE | |
| 7 | EXTRA MILE BBQ | |
| 8 | BAR-B-Q 101 | |
| 9 | G-QUE KY | |
| 10 | JERRY'S TENDER BUTT BBQ | |
| 11 | SMOKEY MOUNTAIN SMOKERS | |
| 12 | HOT COLE'S BBQ | |
| 13 | LAST SMOKER STANDING | |
| 14 | ROCKY TOP BARBEQUE | |
| 15 | K-TOWN DADDY'S BBQ | |
| 16 | GRILLIN' GANGSTERS | |
| 17 | UNDER THE RADAR | |
| 18 | TASTE OF GRACE | |
| 19 | SOGGY BOTTOM SMOKERS | |
| 20 | BULLHEADED BBQ | |
| 21 | SAUCED! BBQ TEAM | |
| 22 | MCCLOUD MOUNTAIN SMOKERS | |
| 23 | FOWL BUTT BBQ | |
| 24 | HOGGY BOTTOM BOYS | |
| 25 | SMOKIN'SS | |
| 26 | SMOKIN NC | |
| 27 | BLUE CHIP BBQ | |
| 28 | BABE'S BBQ | |
| 29 | OLE SMOKEY BARBECUE CREW | |
| 30 | SNORING HOGS BBQ | |
| 31 | SYCK WILLY | |
| 32 | FIREHOUSE SMOKERS TN | |
| 33 | SMOKE ON THIS | |
| 34 | WOOD N PIG SMOKERS | |
| 35 | CONTAGIOUS Q | |
| 36 | RIVER ROAD GRILLBILLIES | |
| 37 | SWIGGIN PIG | |
| 38 | Q FACTOR |