SaucyRossyBBQ KCBS Helper

← The latest edition · The 2018 season page

The annual edition

Every sanctioned contest scored in 2018.

Covering KCBS-sanctioned contests

The Smoke Ring

Competition Barbecue’s Paper of Record

The Index

Annual edition Monday, December 31, 2018 Price: One Coffee

The 2018 Season in Review

443 contests scored
6,971 teams competing
714.2744 top score, out of 720 THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ
15,878 team entries
232 different Grand Champions
75 first-time winners
149 won exactly once
288 perfect 180s
17,057 top-ten calls
1,724 new teams
50.6% of last year’s teams came back
467 biggest field
37 average field
692.60 average winning score
647.86 lowest winning score
5.01 average winning margin
2 settled by tiebreaker
53 states & provinces
16 countries
10 state championships
7 invitationals
2 reps at the table
2.3 contests per team
$10K in published purses
55 cancelled

Team of the Year

GETTIN' BASTED Is 2018 Team of the Year

2,840 points to top the KCBS Master Series standings, ahead of BOOMERANG BBQ.

By The Smoke Ring Staff

2,840
Master Series Team of the Year points

GETTIN' BASTED finished 2018 as KCBS Master Series Team of the Year on 2,840 points, with BOOMERANG BBQ second.

Across 2018, 443 sanctioned contests were scored, across 53 states and provinces, drawing 6,971 teams to the turn-in table. Judges made 17,057 top-ten calls and handed out 288 perfect 180s. 1,724 teams appear in the record for the first time. The top tens run on B1.

  • Chicken: BOOMERANG BBQ
  • Pork Ribs: BOOMERANG BBQ
  • Pork: GETTIN' BASTED
  • Brisket: GETTIN' BASTED
Section ATeam of the YearA2

The KCBS points race, exactly as the Society publishes it. The official standings →

Master Series

  1. 1 GETTIN' BASTED 2,840
  2. 2 BOOMERANG BBQ 2,839
  3. 3 Smoke Me Silly 2,781
  4. 4 SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ 2,755
  5. 5 GREY STREET BBQ 2,751
  6. 6 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ 2,744
  7. 7 BBQ+ 2,736
  8. 8 WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ 2,709
  9. 9 SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MA 2,702
  10. 10 BUTCHER BBQ 2,701

Category Teams of the Year: Chicken — BOOMERANG BBQ; Pork Ribs — BOOMERANG BBQ; Pork — GETTIN' BASTED; Brisket — GETTIN' BASTED.

Section AThe Year in BriefA3

By invitation only

BUNCH OF SWINES Wins the American Royal Invitational

Best of 164 invited teams, with ONE2BBQ in reserve — a win for the record book that leaves the power rating alone.

164 invited teams, one Grand Champion

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — BUNCH OF SWINES won 39th American Royal World Series of Barbecue (INVITATIONAL), best of 164 invited teams; ONE2BBQ took reserve. An invite-only field, so it leaves the power rating alone and goes straight into the record book.

  • top score 705.1200
  • 7 invitationals in 2018
  • not in the power rating

Score of the year

THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ Turns In the Year’s Best Card

714.2744 out of 720 at Smokin On The Pecos (Day 2) — the highest Master overall scored in 2018.

714.2744 Master overall, out of 720

ARTESIA, N.M. — THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ put up 714.2744 at Smokin On The Pecos (Day 2) — the highest overall of the year.

Hottest hand

Twelve Grand Championships in 2018 for BOOMERANG BBQ

Nobody else in the field ran a hotter hand.

12× Grand Championships

BOOMERANG BBQ took 12 Grand Championships in 2018.

They will not let it go

Three Straight at Big Blue BBQ Championship for GETTIN' BASTED

Every edition of Big Blue BBQ Championship since 2016 has gone the same way.

3 in a row wins at this contest

MARYSVILLE, Kan. — GETTIN' BASTED won Big Blue BBQ Championship (TEAMS FULL) again — 3 straight editions of this contest.

  • 2016–2018
  • field of 42

First one ever

WHEN PIGS DIE Wins Its First, on the 92nd Try

A first Grand Championship at BBQ 'Loo & Blues TOO!, after 92 contests in the record.

92nd contest — and their first GC

WATERLOO, Iowa — WHEN PIGS DIE won their first Grand Championship at BBQ 'Loo & Blues TOO!, in their 92nd contest in the data.

  • 20 Jul

Upset of the year

The Long Shot Comes In at Shotgun Fred BBQ Showdown

The ratings gave Rio Valley Meat BBQ a 5% chance, with IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ the team to beat.

5-in-100 shot on pre-contest ratings

HUNTSVILLE, Texas — Rio Valley Meat BBQ won Shotgun Fred BBQ Showdown over top-rated IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ as the ratings underdog.

Also in 2018

Judges Hand Out 288 Perfect 180s

Six judges, every card a 9: 288 perfect 180s were handed out in 2018.

Decided by 0.0000 of a Point

DIRT ROAD BBQ edged CAVEMAN CUISINE by 0.0000 at Shepherd's Smokin Summer Kick Off.

GOTHIC TOWN GRILLERS Back on Top After Five Years

GOTHIC TOWN GRILLERS won Big Muddy Brew N Que — their first Grand Championship since August 2013, after 56 contests without one.

WHEN PIGS DIE Sets the Record at BBQ 'Loo & Blues TOO!

WHEN PIGS DIE put up 704.6288 at BBQ 'Loo & Blues TOO! — the best overall in 6 editions of the contest on record, past the old mark of 694.8572.

GETTIN' BASTED Takes Three of Four Meats at Big Blue BBQ Championship

GETTIN' BASTED won 3 of 4 meats at Big Blue BBQ Championship (TEAMS FULL) (chicken, pork ribs and pork), and the Grand Championship with them.

BOOMERANG BBQ Climbs 278 Rating Points

BOOMERANG BBQ gained 278 rating points across 53 contests — the biggest climb of the year.

75 Teams Win Their First Grand Championship

75 teams won their first Grand Championship on record in 2018 — the biggest of them Eggspert BBQ Minnesota at Minnesota in May, against 70 teams.

GETTIN' BASTED Collects Eleven Perfect 180s

GETTIN' BASTED turned in 11 perfect 180s in 2018, the most of any team.

Ten State Champions Crowned

10 state championships were decided in 2018. The biggest, Shawnee Great Grillers State Championship Barbeque (107 teams), went to 913 BBQ.

PARKSTAD SMOKERS Leads the Class of 2018

PARKSTAD SMOKERS cooked their first contest on record in 2018 and won 1 Grand Championship — the best season of 1,724 new teams.

Nobody Was Steadier Than BUNCH OF SWINES

BUNCH OF SWINES finished ahead of 94% of the field on average across 20 Master contests in 2018 — the steadiest season of anyone with 10 or more.

MOE CASON BBQ Runs Away With Smokin on the Water

MOE CASON BBQ won Smokin on the Water by 25.7256 points over Perth BBQ School Varsity — the widest winning margin of the year.

Brisket Was the Hardest Meat of 2018

Brisket was the hardest meat to score in 2018: it averaged 161.90, against 164.55 for chicken.

467 Teams Roll Into Kansas City

39th American Royal World Series of Barbecue (OPEN) drew 467 teams, and IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ won it.

443 Contests, Down 8% on 2017

443 contests were scored in 2018, down from 479 in 2017.

IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ Cooks Its 200th Contest

IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ cooked their 200th contest on record at 7th Annual Death Door Barbeque (DAY 2), with 53 Grand Championships along the way.

Nobody Hauled Further Than BOOMERANG BBQ

BOOMERANG BBQ cooked 54 contests in 2018 — nobody hauled the rig further.

HIGH i QUE Wins The Great Lenexa BBQ Battle Without Winning a Meat

HIGH i QUE won The Great Lenexa BBQ Battle without winning a single meat — their best category finish was 2nd.

A New Contest Opens in Lenexa

The Great Lenexa BBQ Battle ran for the first time on record, drawing 185 teams, and HIGH i QUE II won it. Somebody put in the work to make a new contest happen.

ARROWHEAD NORTH BBQ Takes Reserve Four Times

ARROWHEAD NORTH BBQ finished second overall 4 times in 2018 without a Grand Championship — one place short every time.

14 Contests on One Friday

14 sanctioned contests were cooked on 4 May alone.

Missouri Hosts 45 Contests, More Than Anywhere

Missouri held 45 contests in 2018, more than anywhere else, with an average field of 34.

June Was the Busiest Month, With 72 Contests

June 2018 was the busiest month of 2018: 72 contests scored and 2,061 teams cooking. Read the June 2018 edition.

Section ABy InvitationA4

Every invitational of 2018. Invite-only fields: their results go into every team’s record, and they don’t move the power rating.

The invitational circuit → · every invitational on record, who keeps getting invited, and who wins them.

Section AFirsts & RookiesA5

First Grand Championships 75 teams won one for the first time on record — the 24 biggest fields shown

  1. Eggspert BBQ Minnesota Minnesota in May May 11 · 70 teams
  2. EVIL MONKEY BBQ Bixby BBQ'n Blues Festival May 4 · 68 teams
  3. Smokestack Redemption Interstate BBQ Festival Apr 20 · 67 teams
  4. TOOT & STINKY'S CALI-Q Horse Town Brew B Que Festival Jun 1 · 57 teams
  5. BULL CREEK BBQ Border War Barbeque Oct 26 · 56 teams
  6. ALL FORKED UP FOR Q Smokin' in the Creek BBQ Contest -Re-Boot (JUDGES FULL) Apr 27 · 53 teams
  7. BYO GRILL Freedom Fest BBQ Cook-Off Jun 29 · 52 teams
  8. 7-8-9 BBQ Turf & Surf BBQ Championship Aug 17 · 51 teams
  9. #MIDNIGHT SMOKERS Meat Scream BBQ Competition at Halloween Harvest Festival Oct 19 · 48 teams
  10. SMOKE MONSTER BBQ Bone Suckin Sauce Peak City Pig Fest Jun 15 · 44 teams
  11. HOME COOKIN' BBQ BBQ on the Bow Sep 1 · 43 teams
  12. MAYA JANE BBQ CO. Boss Hog State Championship Cook-OFF May 11 · 42 teams
  13. WHEN PIGS DIE BBQ 'Loo & Blues TOO! Jul 20 · 42 teams
  14. D.F.G.'S BBQ Grill Games Aug 24 · 42 teams
  15. BLUE ISLAND BBQ CO. Best of the Midwest BBQ Cook-off Oct 19 · 42 teams
  16. SMOKIN WILLE'S BARBECUE Sertoma 48 BBQ May 4 · 41 teams
  17. BIG RAZ BBQ Granite State BBQ Championship Jun 9 · 41 teams
  18. WOODY'S Q SHACK San Luis Valley Beat the Heat BBQ Aug 3 · 41 teams
  19. Rio Valley Meat BBQ Shotgun Fred BBQ Showdown Feb 16 · 38 teams
  20. SCOTTS BBQ SHACK Apple Blossom Bar-B-Q May 4 · 37 teams
  21. Boxer Q BBQ McLouth BBQ Blowout 27th Annual ( JUDGES FULL) Jun 1 · 36 teams
  22. RIVER ROAD GRILLBILLIES Blount County BBQ Bash Jun 22 · 36 teams
  23. BONE TO BARK BBQ Gettysburg BBQ Festival (JUDGES FULL) May 25 · 35 teams
  24. SMOKIN K Central Plains Ribfest Jun 15 · 35 teams

The Rookie Class Teams whose first contest on record came in 2018 — 1,724 of them

The whole class of 2018 →

Section BThe Top TensB1

23 standings from the 2018 season. Grand Championships count once per contest; overall scores are ranked only against their own board’s scale.

Highest Scores

Master overall, out of 720

  1. 1 THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQSmokin On The Pecos (Day 2) 714.2744
  2. 2 WOLF'S REVENGE BBQCumberland Plateau BBQ Cook-Off & Cruise In Day 2 713.7028
  3. 3 BOOMERANG BBQSmokin On The Pecos (Day 1) 713.1544
  4. 4 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQMurphysboro BBQ Cookoff 712.5600
  5. 5 Organizer PortalBBQ-Fest Cooking Contest 710.9144
  6. 6 SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQGuts Glory Ram BBQ Showdown 710.8916
  7. 7 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQSonny's Smokin Showdown (INVITATIONAL ONLY) 710.8688
  8. 8 GETTIN' BASTED23rd Annual Platte City BBQ Cook Off at Basswood Resort 710.2972
  9. 9 A-1 TAX SERVICE INCSmoke in the House 710.2628
  10. 10 GETTIN' BASTEDStillwater Elks Lodge Blazathon 709.7372

Most Grand Championships

Contests won, counted once per contest

  1. 1 GETTIN' BASTED50 contests · 42 top tens 12
  2. 2 BOOMERANG BBQ54 contests · 46 top tens 12
  3. 3 BBQ+19 contests · 18 top tens 9
  4. 4 Organizer Portal33 contests · 30 top tens 9
  5. 5 GREY STREET BBQ20 contests · 18 top tens 8
  6. 6 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ37 contests · 31 top tens 8
  7. 7 BUNCH OF SWINES20 contests · 19 top tens 7
  8. 8 BUTCHER BBQ25 contests · 17 top tens 7
  9. 9 SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MA29 contests · 18 top tens 7
  10. 10 SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ34 contests · 26 top tens 7

Most Reserve Championships

Second overall

  1. 1 BOOMERANG BBQ12 GCs · 54 contests 10
  2. 2 One2BBQ2 GCs · 22 contests 8
  3. 3 Organizer Portal9 GCs · 33 contests 8
  4. 4 SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ7 GCs · 34 contests 6
  5. 5 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ8 GCs · 37 contests 6
  6. 6 GETTIN' BASTED12 GCs · 50 contests 6
  7. 7 BUNCH OF SWINES7 GCs · 20 contests 5
  8. 8 BIG POPPA SMOKERS3 GCs · 21 contests 5
  9. 9 REDNECK SCIENTIFIC3 GCs · 23 contests 5
  10. 10 BUTCHER BBQ7 GCs · 25 contests 5

Most Top-Ten Finishes

Top ten overall

  1. 1 BOOMERANG BBQof 54 contests 46
  2. 2 GETTIN' BASTEDof 50 contests 42
  3. 3 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQof 37 contests 31
  4. 4 Organizer Portalof 33 contests 30
  5. 5 4 LEGS UP BBQof 38 contests 28
  6. 6 SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQof 34 contests 26
  7. 7 SLAPS BBQof 40 contests 26
  8. 8 WOLF'S REVENGE BBQof 33 contests 25
  9. 9 SHIGGIN & GRINNINof 27 contests 24
  10. 10 DIRT ROAD BBQof 39 contests 24

Most Calls

Top-ten finishes in the four meats

  1. 1 BOOMERANG BBQ54 contests 131
  2. 2 GETTIN' BASTED50 contests 122
  3. 3 Organizer Portal33 contests 93
  4. 4 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ37 contests 92
  5. 5 B-S BBQ OUTLAWS45 contests 82
  6. 6 DIRT ROAD BBQ39 contests 79
  7. 7 SLAPS BBQ40 contests 77
  8. 8 SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ34 contests 76
  9. 9 4 LEGS UP BBQ38 contests 76
  10. 10 WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ33 contests 73

Most Category Wins

First place in a meat

  1. 1 BOOMERANG BBQ54 contests 28
  2. 2 GETTIN' BASTED50 contests 25
  3. 3 Organizer Portal33 contests 22
  4. 4 BUNCH OF SWINES20 contests 14
  5. 5 FIRE DANCER BBQ27 contests 14
  6. 6 SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MA29 contests 13
  7. 7 CONTAGIOUS Q32 contests 13
  8. 8 SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ34 contests 13
  9. 9 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ37 contests 13
  10. 10 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN30 contests 12

Most Perfect 180s

Six judges, every card a nine

  1. 1 GETTIN' BASTED50 contests 11
  2. 2 BOOMERANG BBQ54 contests 7
  3. 3 ROCKY TOP BARBEQUE19 contests 6
  4. 4 BUTCHER BBQ25 contests 6
  5. 5 Organizer Portal33 contests 6
  6. 6 WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ33 contests 6
  7. 7 HOT COLE'S BBQ14 contests 5
  8. 8 CLARK CREW BBQ30 contests 5
  9. 9 SAUCED! BBQ TEAM33 contests 5
  10. 10 THE SMOKING HILLS34 contests 5

Best Average Score

Master overall, 8+ contests

  1. 1 Organizer Portal33 contests 693.28
  2. 2 GREY STREET BBQ20 contests 692.16
  3. 3 BOOMERANG BBQ54 contests 691.81
  4. 4 BUTCHER BBQ25 contests 691.76
  5. 5 HOT COLE'S BBQ14 contests 691.68
  6. 6 BIG POPPA SMOKERS21 contests 691.24
  7. 7 GETTIN' BASTED50 contests 691.12
  8. 8 Rio Valley Meat BBQ14 contests 690.53
  9. 9 THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ18 contests 690.31
  10. 10 Under the Radar19 contests 690.12

Most Consistent

Share of the field beaten, 10+ contests

  1. 1 BUNCH OF SWINES20 contests 94%
  2. 2 GREY STREET BBQ20 contests 92%
  3. 3 BIG POPPA SMOKERS21 contests 92%
  4. 4 BBQ+19 contests 92%
  5. 5 BOOMERANG BBQ54 contests 91%
  6. 6 3 EYZ BBQ16 contests 91%
  7. 7 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ37 contests 91%
  8. 8 Organizer Portal33 contests 90%
  9. 9 GETTIN' BASTED50 contests 90%
  10. 10 SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ34 contests 90%

Most Contests Cooked

Contests entered

  1. 1 BOOMERANG BBQ12 GCs · 17 states 54
  2. 2 GETTIN' BASTED12 GCs · 15 states 50
  3. 3 B-S BBQ OUTLAWS2 GCs · 18 states 45
  4. 4 SLAPS BBQ2 GCs · 9 states 40
  5. 5 DIRT ROAD BBQ3 GCs · 8 states 39
  6. 6 4 LEGS UP BBQ1 GC · 11 states 38
  7. 7 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ8 GCs · 14 states 37
  8. 8 OLD VIRGINIA SMOKE1 GC · 10 states 35
  9. 9 SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ7 GCs · 13 states 34
  10. 10 THE SMOKING HILLS3 GCs · 8 states 34

Most States Cooked In

States and provinces

  1. 1 B-S BBQ OUTLAWS45 contests 18
  2. 2 BOOMERANG BBQ54 contests 17
  3. 3 GETTIN' BASTED50 contests 15
  4. 4 SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MA29 contests 15
  5. 5 Rogue Hog BBQ28 contests 15
  6. 6 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ37 contests 14
  7. 7 SHORTSVILLE SMOKERS29 contests 14
  8. 8 SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ34 contests 13
  9. 9 CLARK CREW BBQ30 contests 12
  10. 10 BUCKSHOT BBQ - TX24 contests 12

Biggest Rating Climbs

Power rating gained over the season

  1. 1 BOOMERANG BBQ53 rated contests · now #10 +278
  2. 2 BIG RAZ BBQ19 rated contests · now #97 +167
  3. 3 BUCKSHOT BBQ - TX22 rated contests · now #2,469 +161
  4. 4 LA PASADITA31 rated contests · now #539 +157
  5. 5 Rio Valley Meat BBQ11 rated contests · now #18 +153
  6. 6 UNFAMOUS DAVE'S16 rated contests · now #1,307 +147
  7. 7 Carrol Lou's Smokehouse25 rated contests · now #396 +146
  8. 8 3N1 Q23 rated contests · now #66 +144
  9. 9 SMOKE MONSTER BBQ15 rated contests · now #95 +143
  10. 10 TIMBONE BARBECUE17 rated contests · now #248 +142

Best Rookie Seasons

First contest on record this season

  1. 1 PARKSTAD SMOKERS11 contests · best 689.75 1 GC
  2. 2 Eggspert BBQ Minnesota8 contests · best 695.44 1 GC
  3. 3 Dog Star1 contest · best 671.42 1 GC
  4. 4 HEATBEADS ALL STARS1 contest · best 681.19 1 GC
  5. 5 SUGAR & SPICE TENDER AND NICE1 contest · best 690.85 1 GC
  6. 6 Thanks A Glatt1 contest · best 665.71 1 GC
  7. 7 KRAZE-E'S BBQ14 contests · best 667.42 —
  8. 8 PAPA'S BARBQ10 contests · best 679.33 —
  9. 9 Westside BBQ10 contests · best 677.65 —
  10. 10 Boom Chicka Cow Cow9 contests · best 696.00 —

Best Chicken

Out of 180

  1. 1 BURNTOUT BBQ CONational Western BBQ Throwdown 180.0000
  2. 2 Angry Jack BBQBrasstown Valley Resort BBQ Throwdown (JUDGES FULL) 180.0000
  3. 3 COW TIPPIN BBQThe Smithfield Guinea Pig (JUDGES FULL) 180.0000
  4. 4 Uncle Pig's Barbeque PitThe Great Brunswick BBQ Throwdown 180.0000
  5. 5 HoglineFire on Ice Barbecue World Championship 180.0000
  6. 6 SAUCED! BBQ TEAMSonny's Smokin Showdown (INVITATIONAL ONLY) 180.0000
  7. 7 BOOMERANG BBQKansas BBQ Shoot Out Day 1 180.0000
  8. 8 SMOKE THISFlames on the Flint 180.0000
  9. 9 THE ALGOOD BAR-B-Q PIT CREWDickson County Smokefest 180.0000
  10. 10 HoglineSmoke in the Spring 180.0000

Best Pork Ribs

Out of 180

  1. 1 HOT WACHULA'SW.E.S.T. Winter extreme South Tyrol BBQ Contest 180.0000
  2. 2 WOLF'S REVENGE BBQSonny's Smokin Showdown (INVITATIONAL ONLY) 180.0000
  3. 3 SWAMP BOYSSonny's Smokin Showdown (INVITATIONAL ONLY) 180.0000
  4. 4 HUNKA HUNKA BURNIN' RUBBig 12 BIG Q (COMPETITORS SERIES) 180.0000
  5. 5 Three Hog Night SmokersStillwater Elks Lodge Blazathon 180.0000
  6. 6 FAT, DRUNK & STUPIDThe Whistlestop Festival & Rocket City BBQ 180.0000
  7. 7 HIGH i QUEThe Grasshopper '18 (formerly Kansas 10x10) (JUDGES FULL) 180.0000
  8. 8 HELPING U BBQBBQ in the Bluffs 180.0000
  9. 9 BIG BUTTS NEED RUBBIN TOOGrand Lake BBQ & Festival 180.0000
  10. 10 GETTIN' BASTED23rd Annual Platte City BBQ Cook Off at Basswood Resort 180.0000

Best Pork

Out of 180

  1. 1 Spring Creek CookersHumble Rodeo and BBQ 180.0000
  2. 2 BOOMERANG BBQKansas BBQ Shootout Day 2 180.0000
  3. 3 Serial GrillerFlames on the Flint 180.0000
  4. 4 Organizer PortalSmoke on the Shores 180.0000
  5. 5 FIRE DANCER BBQHog Wild BBQ Contest 180.0000
  6. 6 WHO CARES BBQBBQ Gives Back 180.0000
  7. 7 SMOKE ON THISDickson County Smokefest 180.0000
  8. 8 BIG POPPA SMOKERS7th Annual Santa Anita Winners Circle BBQ Championship 180.0000
  9. 9 BROS HOGThe War of Barbeque 180.0000
  10. 10 Petie's Smokin Pits BBQFire Lake BBQ Cook-off Day 2 180.0000

Best Brisket

Out of 180

  1. 1 SAUCED! BBQ TEAMLakeland Pig Festival 180.0000
  2. 2 BBQ+Meat, Smoke & Beer Festival- BBQ on Ice 180.0000
  3. 3 PORKETEERSThe Smithfield Guinea Pig (JUDGES FULL) 180.0000
  4. 4 WOLF'S REVENGE BBQSonny's Smokin Showdown (INVITATIONAL ONLY) 180.0000
  5. 5 WeQ4USonny's Smokin Showdown (INVITATIONAL ONLY) 180.0000
  6. 6 CLARK CREW BBQKansas BBQ Shoot Out Day 1 180.0000
  7. 7 SMOKIN MO'S BBQKansas BBQ Shoot Out Day 1 180.0000
  8. 8 BUTCHER BBQPork-A-Palooza 180.0000
  9. 9 BOB ROBERTS BBQSmokin In the Square 180.0000
  10. 10 CLARK CREW BBQFire Lake BBQ Cook-off Day 1 180.0000

Biggest Fields

Teams at one contest

  1. 1 39th American Royal World Series of Barbecue (OPEN)won by IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ 467
  2. 2 The Great Lenexa BBQ Battlewon by HIGH i QUE II 185
  3. 3 39th American Royal World Series of Barbecue (INVITATIONAL)won by BUNCH OF SWINES 164
  4. 4 Humble Rodeo and BBQwon by BUCKSHOT BBQ - TX 145
  5. 5 Shawnee Great Grillers State Championship Barbequewon by 913 BBQ 107
  6. 6 Smoke in the Springwon by HOGLINE 103
  7. 7 Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitation Barbecue (JUDGES FULL)won by BUTCHER BBQ 102
  8. 8 SC Festival Of Discoverywon by OLD COLONY SMOKEHOUSE 89
  9. 9 Smoke on the Shoreswon by ONE2BBQ 87
  10. 10 Fire Lake BBQ Cook-off Day 1won by FAT BOYS BBQ - TEMPLE, TX 84

Closest Finishes

Points between first and second

  1. 1 BUTCHER BBQover IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ · Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitation Barbecue (JUDGES FULL) 0.0116
  2. 2 ALL FORKED UP FOR Qover SLAPS BBQ · Smokin' in the Creek BBQ Contest -Re-Boot (JUDGES FULL) 0.0228
  3. 3 Boxer Q BBQover 99 PROBLEMS SMOKIN AINT 1 · McLouth BBQ Blowout 27th Annual ( JUDGES FULL) 0.0228
  4. 4 Littles BBQ Coover TIM'S FULL BELLI DELI · BBQ 4 ASTOP 0.0232
  5. 5 BOOMERANG BBQover GRILLS GONE WILD IOWA · RED, WHITE and BAR-B-Q ( DAY 1) 0.0232
  6. 6 Smoke Central BBQover Bald Hawg BBQ · Brew & Que on the Shrine Lake 0.0340
  7. 7 OLD COLONY SMOKEHOUSEover 3 EYZ BBQ · Smokin on The Dock of the Bay 0.0344
  8. 8 EVIL MONKEY BBQover Petie's Smokin Pits BBQ · Bixby BBQ'n Blues Festival 0.0452
  9. 9 The Specialistsover Organizer Portal · Smoke on the Falls 0.0456
  10. 10 Survivor-Queover HOT AND FAST BBQ · 10th Annual Gillett Heritage Days Festival BBQ cook off 0.0460

Biggest Winning Margins

Points clear of second

  1. 1 MOE CASON BBQover Perth BBQ School Varsity · Smokin on the Water 25.73
  2. 2 FIRE DOWN BELOWover BIG RAZ BBQ · Nor'Easter BBQ Showdown (DAY1) CAMPGROUND BBQ SEREIES 21.59
  3. 3 BIG "E" BBQover BIG BROTHERS BBQ · The Rumble on the River presented by TheBBQSuperStore.com 20.13
  4. 4 DRUM DADDY BBQover PARK AVENUE PORK · UMB Smokin' Vault (Competitors Invitational Only Series) 20.08
  5. 5 SHORTSVILLE SMOKERSover Priorville BBQ · BBQ in The Valley 19.41

Biggest Upsets

The winner’s chance on pre-contest ratings

  1. 1 Rio Valley Meat BBQShotgun Fred BBQ Showdown 5%
  2. 2 BUCKSHOT BBQ - TXHumble Rodeo and BBQ 6%
  3. 3 B' Mackin BBQIndio California State BBQ Championship & Festival DAY 2 (JUDGES FULL) 6%
  4. 4 SQUAT AND GOBBLE BARBEQUEBest Dam Barbeque 6%
  5. 5 THE TWISTED TAILQ for a Cause 7%
  6. 6 SMOKIN TIMBERS BBQColorado Pork & Hops Challenge 7%
  7. 7 KEEP CALM & SAUCE ONSmokin Trackside BBQ Bash 7%
  8. 8 Eggspert BBQ MinnesotaMinnesota in May 7%
  9. 9 BYO GRILLFreedom Fest BBQ Cook-Off 8%
  10. 10 7-8-9 BBQTurf & Surf BBQ Championship 8%

Busiest Reps

Contests worked

  1. 1 Larry Voth 1
  2. 2 Lynda Voth 1

Busiest States

Contests held · average field

  1. 1 Missouriaverage field 34 45
  2. 2 Georgiaaverage field 35 34
  3. 3 Kansasaverage field 66 34
  4. 4 Californiaaverage field 40 29
  5. 5 Tennesseeaverage field 36 25
  6. 6 Illinoisaverage field 35 23
  7. 7 Alabamaaverage field 29 22
  8. 8 Wisconsinaverage field 37 21
  9. 9 North Carolinaaverage field 38 18
  10. 10 Indianaaverage field 34 17
Section BMeat by MeatB2

How each meat scored across the season, both series, out of 180.

MeatAverageAvg. winnerEntries180sper 1,000WinnersBest of the year
Chicken 164.55 177.14 15,999 93 5.8 308 BURNTOUT BBQ CO 180
Pork Ribs 162.96 176.28 15,981 37 2.3 308 HOT WACHULA'S 180
Pork 163.67 176.93 15,830 73 4.6 284 Spring Creek Cookers 180
Brisket 161.90 176.78 15,788 85 5.4 293 SAUCED! BBQ TEAM 180
Section BMonth by MonthB3

Every month of the season. Each has an edition of its own, with every Grand Champion named.

MonthContestsTeamsTop scoreBiggest field180s
January 4 254 702.2284 MIDNIGHT BURN 70 Slab-O-Rama Barbeque Challenge 3
February 10 399 702.8000 SIMPLY MARVELOUS BBQ 145 Humble Rodeo and BBQ 5
March 24 904 710.8688 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ 87 Smoke on the Shores 30
April 44 1,444 709.7372 GETTIN' BASTED 103 Smoke in the Spring 26
May 59 1,711 710.2972 GETTIN' BASTED 72 Papa Joe's Banjo-B-Que & Music Festival 36
June 72 2,061 714.2744 THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ 185 The Great Lenexa BBQ Battle 40
July 41 1,335 713.7028 WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ 89 SC Festival Of Discovery 36
August 60 1,745 707.9888 SWINE DINING GA 74 Bedford Blues & BBQ Festival 31
September 66 2,144 712.5600 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ 467 39th American Royal World Series of Barbecue (OPEN) 38
October 47 1,300 710.8916 SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ 102 Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitation Barbecue (JUDGES FULL) 34
November 13 322 706.8228 GETTIN' BASTED 56 Polar Pig BBQ Cook-Off (Duel A) 8
December 3 83 705.6912 BOOMERANG BBQ 47 Arizona National BBQ Stampede 1
Section BThe Year Against the LastB4

2018 set against 2017.

Measure20182017Change
Contests scored 443 479 ▼ 36 (-8%)
Teams competing 6,971 7,539 ▼ 568 (-8%)
Team entries 15,878 17,614 ▼ 1,736 (-10%)
Different Grand Champions 232 243 ▼ 11 (-5%)
Average field 36.6 37.2 ▼ 0.6 (-2%)
Biggest field 467 407 ▲ 60 (15%)
Average winning score 692.60 692.65 ▼ 0.05
Top score 714.2744 713.7144 ▲ 0.5600
Perfect 180s 288 399 ▼ 111 (-28%)

Notes on the Season from the 2018 season page

  • Jan 5 → Dec 31 Season ran first and last contest on the 2018 calendar
  • 5.01 Average winning margin across 419 Master contests · 2 settled by tiebreaker
  • 17,057 Walks to the stage top-ten calls handed out in the four meats
  • 1,724 New teams first tracked contest anywhere was in 2018
  • 531 Contest series distinct recurring contests on the calendar
  • 17 contests Busiest weekend all on May 4, 2018
  • 2 Reps working KCBS reps on the season’s contests
  • Brisket Toughest table lowest average of the four meats at 161.9
  • 7 Outside the rating invitationals and non-points contests that do not move a power rating
  • 55 Cancelled contests that came off the calendar
  • 86 Results still out of 566 contests on the 2018 calendar
Section CBack IssuesC1

Every season in review, and every month with scored results, back to the start of the record. ← 2017 in review 2019 in review → Latest edition

Seasons in review: 2026 · 2025 · 2024 · 2023 · 2022 · 2021 · 2020 · 2019 · 2018 · 2017 · 2016 · 2015 · 2014 · 2013 · 2012

2026 316 contests

2025 386 contests

2024 343 contests

2023 376 contests

2022 376 contests

2021 310 contests

2020 134 contests

2019 430 contests

2018 480 contests

2017 517 contests

2016 505 contests

2015 494 contests

2014 469 contests

2013 436 contests

2012 1 contest

The Smoke Ring

Published by the Saucy Rossy KCBS Helper App, a free community tool from Saucy Rossy BBQ. Set by machine from the public contest listings at kcbs.us.

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Corrections

Every figure on this page is computed from published results — no editorial judgement, and no hand entry. The Team of the Year standings are KCBS’s own. Where a name is wrong or a contest is missing, it is wrong at the source or in the match: see About, or Scoring explained.

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The Smoke Ring is not a publication of the Kansas City Barbeque Society, and has no connection to it beyond reading what KCBS publishes. Every contest here links back to its official page.

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