A new contest record
705.7028
highest overall ever cooked here
705.7028 is the highest overall score this contest has ever produced — past the 699.4284 PORK PULLERS set in 2017.
- old record 699.4284
- set 2017 by PORK PULLERS
Border War Barbeque 2021
Oct 22–23, 2021 · Osawatomie, KS · 📍 John Brown Memorial Park · State championship
Reps: Dave Rogers, Peg Rogers · Prize money: $5,050
ALL FORKED UP FOR Q won Grand Champion at the Border War Barbeque on October 22, 2021 in Osawatomie, KS at John Brown Memorial Park, scoring 705.7028 in a field of 30 teams. SLAPS BBQ took Reserve Grand Champion with 701.6684. Category winners: Chicken — KC SMOKE DAWGS (179.4400); Pork Ribs — Big Al and the Boys (177.7144); Pork — Cow Creek BBQ (180.0000); Brisket — PIRATES OF BAR-B-QUE BAY (177.7028). This is the 5th of 6 editions of this contest on record; the 2019 edition was won by Tebo Creek BBQ; the next was held in 2022.
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.
146.81
median 675.05
705.70 🏆
How the meats cooked
Every board on one scale — the bar runs last score to first, the dot is the median.
- Chicken 179.44
- Pork Ribs 177.71
- Pork 180 🔥
- Brisket 177.70
138.83
180
Winning score by edition
What it has taken to win here, 2016 to 2022 — this edition picked out.
Entries
30
4 judged meats · 5 ancillary
Top score
705.7028
Winning margin
4.0344
GC over RC
Field average
655.17
146.81705.70
median 675.05 · last place to winner
Tightest race
Pork Ribs
1.7144 pts across the top 5
Top-10 cutoff
689.0860
146.81705.70
10th place overall
Field spread
558.8916
winner to last place
Prize money
$5,050
on the line
Double threats
5
teams with 2+ top-5 calls
How hot was the win?
Top 12%
beats 88% of 4714 Master Series wins in the data
Came back for more
36%
16 of 44 teams from the previous edition returned
Form held
Strong
ρ = -0.66 between pre-contest rating and finish
Field strength
1,629
avg power rating going in · stronger than 90% of contests
Storylines (7 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.
An upset on the books
13-in-100
shot on pre-contest ratings
The ratings favoured the top seed the other 87 times in 100
ALL FORKED UP FOR Q came in rated below the field's top team, GETTIN' BASTED, and took the Grand Championship anyway — roughly a 13-in-100 shot on pre-contest ratings.
- champion 1653
- top seed 1984
Won without a category win
4 of 4
meats called to the stage
ALL FORKED UP FOR Q won the Grand Championship without winning a single meat — 4 calls from 4 boards, best of them 2nd. Consistency beat fireworks.
- Chicken 2nd
- Pork Ribs 5th
- Pork 5th
- Brisket 3rd
A stacked field
1629
average power rating going in
Stronger than 90% of every rated contest
The field averaged a 1629 power rating going in — stronger than 90% of every contest tracked.
- top seed GETTIN' BASTED (1984)
- 30 rated teams
Photo finishes
Tie
closest of 16 calls decided inside half a point
Chicken places 4–5: Happy Grillmore and TEXAS SMOKE WHISPERER tied on 175.4172 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Pork places 2–3: Happy Grillmore and PIRATES OF BAR-B-QUE BAY tied on 176.5600 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Pork places 6–7: SLAPS BBQ and BULL CREEK BBQ tied on 173.1200 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker.
- Chicken 4–5 · tie
- Pork 2–3 · tie
- Pork 6–7 · tie
- Pork 7–8 · tie
Back to defend
2
past champions back in the field
Past winners of this contest cooked this edition: 913 BBQ (won 2016), BULL CREEK BBQ (won 2018).
- 913 BBQ · 2016
- BULL CREEK BBQ · 2018
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.
- Cow Creek BBQ · Pork
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 21, 2016 | Osawatomie, KS | Osawatomie, KS | 38 | 695.3944 | 913 BBQ | BULL CREEK BBQ |
| Oct 27, 2017 | Osawatomie, KS | John Brown Memorial Park | 46 | 699.4284 | PORK PULLERS | DIRT ROAD BBQ |
| Oct 26, 2018 | Osawatomie, KS | John Brown Memorial Park | 56 | 697.1428 | BULL CREEK BBQ | PELLET ENVY |
| Oct 25, 2019 | Osawatomie, KS | John Brown Memorial Park | 44 | 698.8116 | Tebo Creek BBQ | DIRT ROAD BBQ |
| Oct 22, 2021 ← this one | Osawatomie, KS | John Brown Memorial Park | 30 | 705.7028 | All Forked Up For Q | SLAPS BBQ |
| Oct 21, 2022 | Osawatomie, KS | John Brown Memorial Park | 30 | 705.6800 | High i Que BBQ | Damn Fine Beef & Swine |
| Oct 18, 2024 | Osawatomie, KS | — | — | — | — | — |
What a call cost (the score it took to finish 1st, 5th and 10th)
| Category | 1st | 5th | 10th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken | 179.4400 | 175.4172 | 171.9772 |
| Pork Ribs | 177.7144 | 176 | 171.9656 |
| Pork | 180 | 173.7028 | 173.1200 |
| Brisket | 177.7028 | 174.2856 | 171.9656 |
Official results on kcbs.us ↗
Master Series
Overall
30 entries · top 705.7028 · median 675.0456
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ALL FORKED UP FOR Q | |
| 2 | SLAPS BBQ | |
| 3 | GETTIN' BASTED | |
| 4 | 913 BBQ | |
| 5 | MAN MEAT BBQ | |
| 6 | Dr. Squealgood BBQ | |
| 7 | PIRATES OF BAR-B-QUE BAY | |
| 8 | Cow Creek BBQ | |
| 9 | Happy Grillmore | |
| 10 | LOVE 2 Q | |
| 11 | TEXAS SMOKE WHISPERER | |
| 12 | HIGH i QUE | |
| 13 | GETTIN' SAUCED | |
| 14 | BULL CREEK BBQ | |
| 15 | ROCK N BLUES BBQ | |
| 16 | IRWIN'S PIT CREW BBQ | |
| 17 | Smokin Brothers Pro Team | |
| 18 | Big Al and the Boys | |
| 19 | HOLLOW Q | |
| 20 | A BBQ TEAM - MO | |
| 21 | Pine Tar BBQ | |
| 22 | KC SMOKE DAWGS | |
| 23 | BALDIN' SMOKIN' BANDITOS | |
| 24 | Wildhouse BBQ | |
| 25 | QIS - QUALITY IN SMOKE | |
| 26 | PUTTIN' IT IN YOUR MOUTH BBQ | |
| 27 | SMOKIN ELVISES | |
| 28 | TWO GUYS AND A SMOKER | |
| 29 | Fat Guys BBQ 4.0 | |
| 30 | F.I.T.B. |
Chicken
29 entries · top 179.4400 · median 170.2744
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | KC SMOKE DAWGS | |
| 2 | ALL FORKED UP FOR Q | |
| 3 | GETTIN' BASTED | |
| 4 | Happy Grillmore | |
| 5 | TEXAS SMOKE WHISPERER | |
| 6 | SLAPS BBQ | |
| 7 | 913 BBQ | |
| 8 | GETTIN' SAUCED | |
| 9 | PIRATES OF BAR-B-QUE BAY | |
| 10 | Dr. Squealgood BBQ | |
| 11 | Cow Creek BBQ | |
| 12 | LOVE 2 Q | |
| 13 | MAN MEAT BBQ | |
| 14 | Big Al and the Boys | |
| 15 | A BBQ TEAM - MO | |
| 16 | HIGH i QUE | |
| 17 | ROCK N BLUES BBQ | |
| 18 | BULL CREEK BBQ | |
| 19 | Pine Tar BBQ | |
| 20 | IRWIN'S PIT CREW BBQ | |
| 21 | BALDIN' SMOKIN' BANDITOS | |
| 22 | HOLLOW Q | |
| 23 | PUTTIN' IT IN YOUR MOUTH BBQ | |
| 24 | SMOKIN ELVISES | |
| 25 | Wildhouse BBQ | |
| 26 | QIS - QUALITY IN SMOKE | |
| 27 | Smokin Brothers Pro Team | |
| 28 | TWO GUYS AND A SMOKER | |
| 29 | Fat Guys BBQ 4.0 |
Pork Ribs
29 entries · top 177.7144 · median 168.5600
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Big Al and the Boys | |
| 2 | IRWIN'S PIT CREW BBQ | |
| 3 | GETTIN' BASTED | |
| 4 | MAN MEAT BBQ | |
| 5 | ALL FORKED UP FOR Q | |
| 6 | SLAPS BBQ | |
| 7 | Cow Creek BBQ | |
| 8 | 913 BBQ | |
| 9 | Dr. Squealgood BBQ | |
| 10 | ROCK N BLUES BBQ | |
| 11 | BALDIN' SMOKIN' BANDITOS | |
| 12 | LOVE 2 Q | |
| 13 | Smokin Brothers Pro Team | |
| 14 | HIGH i QUE | |
| 15 | TEXAS SMOKE WHISPERER | |
| 16 | GETTIN' SAUCED | |
| 17 | A BBQ TEAM - MO | |
| 18 | HOLLOW Q | |
| 19 | Happy Grillmore | |
| 20 | Pine Tar BBQ | |
| 21 | Fat Guys BBQ 4.0 | |
| 22 | PUTTIN' IT IN YOUR MOUTH BBQ | |
| 23 | PIRATES OF BAR-B-QUE BAY | |
| 24 | BULL CREEK BBQ | |
| 25 | QIS - QUALITY IN SMOKE | |
| 26 | Wildhouse BBQ | |
| 27 | TWO GUYS AND A SMOKER | |
| 28 | KC SMOKE DAWGS | |
| 29 | SMOKIN ELVISES |
Pork
30 entries · top 180 · median 167.9770 · 🔥 perfect 180
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cow Creek BBQ | |
| 2 | Happy Grillmore | |
| 3 | PIRATES OF BAR-B-QUE BAY | |
| 4 | LOVE 2 Q | |
| 5 | ALL FORKED UP FOR Q | |
| 6 | SLAPS BBQ | |
| 7 | BULL CREEK BBQ | |
| 8 | HIGH i QUE | |
| 9 | 913 BBQ | |
| 10 | Dr. Squealgood BBQ | |
| 11 | GETTIN' SAUCED | |
| 12 | Smokin Brothers Pro Team | |
| 13 | Big Al and the Boys | |
| 14 | GETTIN' BASTED | |
| 15 | TEXAS SMOKE WHISPERER | |
| 16 | MAN MEAT BBQ | |
| 17 | IRWIN'S PIT CREW BBQ | |
| 18 | Pine Tar BBQ | |
| 19 | HOLLOW Q | |
| 20 | ROCK N BLUES BBQ | |
| 21 | BALDIN' SMOKIN' BANDITOS | |
| 22 | A BBQ TEAM - MO | |
| 23 | QIS - QUALITY IN SMOKE | |
| 24 | Wildhouse BBQ | |
| 25 | KC SMOKE DAWGS | |
| 26 | PUTTIN' IT IN YOUR MOUTH BBQ | |
| 27 | SMOKIN ELVISES | |
| 28 | TWO GUYS AND A SMOKER | |
| 29 | F.I.T.B. | |
| 30 | Fat Guys BBQ 4.0 |
Brisket
29 entries · top 177.7028 · median 169.6800
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | PIRATES OF BAR-B-QUE BAY | |
| 2 | SLAPS BBQ | |
| 3 | ALL FORKED UP FOR Q | |
| 4 | MAN MEAT BBQ | |
| 5 | Dr. Squealgood BBQ | |
| 6 | 913 BBQ | |
| 7 | LOVE 2 Q | |
| 8 | TEXAS SMOKE WHISPERER | |
| 9 | BULL CREEK BBQ | |
| 10 | HIGH i QUE | |
| 11 | GETTIN' BASTED | |
| 12 | Smokin Brothers Pro Team | |
| 13 | ROCK N BLUES BBQ | |
| 14 | Happy Grillmore | |
| 15 | Wildhouse BBQ | |
| 16 | GETTIN' SAUCED | |
| 17 | TWO GUYS AND A SMOKER | |
| 18 | HOLLOW Q | |
| 19 | Cow Creek BBQ | |
| 20 | A BBQ TEAM - MO | |
| 21 | Pine Tar BBQ | |
| 22 | KC SMOKE DAWGS | |
| 23 | IRWIN'S PIT CREW BBQ | |
| 24 | Fat Guys BBQ 4.0 | |
| 25 | QIS - QUALITY IN SMOKE | |
| 26 | BALDIN' SMOKIN' BANDITOS | |
| 27 | SMOKIN ELVISES | |
| 28 | PUTTIN' IT IN YOUR MOUTH BBQ | |
| 29 | Big Al and the Boys |
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.
Ancillary — Booze-B-Que
8 entries · top 175.4288 · median 167.1200
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smokin Brothers Pro Team | |
| 2 | Wildhouse BBQ | |
| 3 | BALDIN' SMOKIN' BANDITOS | |
| 4 | TWO GUYS AND A SMOKER | |
| 5 | SMOKIN ELVISES | |
| 6 | IRWIN'S PIT CREW BBQ | |
| 7 | F.I.T.B. | |
| 8 | Big Al and the Boys |
Ancillary — Dessert
8 entries · top 180 · median 177.1314 · 🔥 perfect 180
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | MAN MEAT BBQ | |
| 2 | BALDIN' SMOKIN' BANDITOS | |
| 3 | Dr. Squealgood BBQ | |
| 4 | Smokin Brothers Pro Team | |
| 5 | Big Al and the Boys | |
| 6 | ALL FORKED UP FOR Q | |
| 7 | PUTTIN' IT IN YOUR MOUTH BBQ | |
| 8 | TWO GUYS AND A SMOKER |
Kids-Q — Kids-Q 10-11
3 entries · top 165.7828 · median 164.0228
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Izzy D. Age 10 | |
| 2 | Lilly B. Age 11 | |
| 3 | Lilly S Age 11 |
Kids-Q — Kids-Q 5-9
3 entries · top 172.0232 · median 170.8800
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Garron S. Age 9 | |
| 2 | Bentlie M. Age 9 | |
| 3 | Ryan B. Age 8 |
Ancillary — Sausage
16 entries · top 178.8572 · median 171.4114