SaucyRossyBBQ KCBS Helper

← The latest edition · The 2020 season page

The annual edition

Every sanctioned contest scored in 2020.

Covering KCBS-sanctioned contests

The Smoke Ring

Competition Barbecue’s Paper of Record

The Index

Annual edition Thursday, December 31, 2020 Price: One Coffee

The 2020 Season in Review

134 contests scored
2,195 teams competing
712.5832 top score, out of 720 SMOKING BUTT HEADS
5,348 team entries
101 different Grand Champions
40 first-time winners
75 won exactly once
141 perfect 180s
5,497 top-ten calls
570 new teams
20% of last year’s teams came back
117 biggest field
37 average field
696.27 average winning score
658.88 lowest winning score
4.54 average winning margin
2 settled by tiebreaker
31 states & provinces
8 countries
115 state championships
1 invitationals
83 reps at the table
2.4 contests per team
$742K in published purses
39 cancelled

Team of the Year

GETTIN' BASTED Is 2020 Team of the Year

2,670 points to top the KCBS Master Series standings, ahead of SLAPS BBQ.

By The Smoke Ring Staff

2,670
Master Series Team of the Year points

GETTIN' BASTED finished 2020 as KCBS Master Series Team of the Year on 2,670 points, with SLAPS BBQ second.

Across 2020, 134 sanctioned contests were scored, across 31 states and provinces, drawing 2,195 teams to the turn-in table. Judges made 5,497 top-ten calls and handed out 141 perfect 180s. 570 teams appear in the record for the first time. The top tens run on B1.

  • Chicken: 4 LEGS UP BBQ
  • Pork Ribs: GETTIN' BASTED
  • Pork: B-S BBQ OUTLAWS
  • Brisket: ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN
Section ATeam of the YearA2

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

Master Series

  1. 1 GETTIN' BASTED 2,670
  2. 2 SLAPS BBQ 2,668
  3. 3 Heavy Smoke BBQ 2,603
  4. 4 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN 2,578
  5. 5 WHO CARES BBQ 2,515
  6. 6 MAN MEAT BBQ 2,320
  7. 7 B-S BBQ OUTLAWS 2,306
  8. 8 Smoke Me Silly 2,297
  9. 9 One2BBQ 2,213
  10. 10 MUTTLEY CREW BBQ 2,200

Category Teams of the Year: Chicken — 4 LEGS UP BBQ; Pork Ribs — GETTIN' BASTED; Pork — B-S BBQ OUTLAWS; Brisket — ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN.

Section AThe Year in BriefA3

By invitation only

Smoking Butt Heads Wins the KCBS World Invitational

Best of 94 invited teams, with IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ in reserve — a win for the record book that leaves the power rating alone.

94 invited teams, one Grand Champion

MAYETTA, Kan. — Smoking Butt Heads won Second Annual KCBS World Invitational Barbeque Competition, best of 94 invited teams; IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ took reserve. An invite-only field, so it leaves the power rating alone and goes straight into the record book.

  • top score 708.5600
  • not in the power rating

Score of the year

SMOKING BUTT HEADS Turns In the Year’s Best Card

712.5832 out of 720 at Papa Joe's Banjo-B-Que & Music Festival — the highest Master overall scored in 2020.

712.5832 Master overall, out of 720

AUGUSTA, Ga. — SMOKING BUTT HEADS put up 712.5832 at Papa Joe's Banjo-B-Que & Music Festival — the highest overall of the year.

Hottest hand

Six Grand Championships in 2020 for SLAPS BBQ

Nobody else in the field ran a hotter hand.

6× Grand Championships

SLAPS BBQ took 6 Grand Championships in 2020.

First one ever

Petie's Smokin Pits BBQ Wins Its First, on the 67th Try

A first Grand Championship at Firelake BBQ Cook Off-Day 2, after 67 contests in the record.

67th contest — and their first GC

SHAWNEE, Okla. — Petie's Smokin Pits BBQ won their first Grand Championship at Firelake BBQ Cook Off-Day 2, in their 67th contest in the data.

  • 24 Oct

Title defended

Pig-Chicka-Cow-Cow Defends Its Title at Fire it up Frostproof!

Back-to-back Grand Championships at the same contest — 2019 and 2020.

2 in a row wins at this contest

FROSTPROOF, Fla. — Pig-Chicka-Cow-Cow won Fire it up Frostproof! again — back-to-back Grand Championships at the same contest.

  • 2019–2020
  • field of 32

Also in 2020

Judges Hand Out 141 Perfect 180s

Six judges, every card a 9: 141 perfect 180s were handed out in 2020.

Decided by 0.0000 of a Point

Heavy Smoke BBQ edged ALL FORKED UP FOR Q by 0.0000 at 2nd Annual Qlathe BBQ Championship.

Backwoods BBQ Back on Top After Five Years

Backwoods BBQ won The Real Squeal BBQ & Music Festival — their first Grand Championship since September 2015, after 31 contests without one.

AMERICAN FIRE BBQ Sets the Record at Smoke in the Spring

AMERICAN FIRE BBQ put up 706.2744 at Smoke in the Spring — the best overall in 7 editions of the contest on record, past the old mark of 700.5144.

Happy Grillmore Takes Three of Four Meats at Smoke on the Trails

Happy Grillmore won 3 of 4 meats at Smoke on the Trails (pork ribs, pork and brisket).

PIGGIN' WHISKEY O.G Climbs 168 Rating Points

PIGGIN' WHISKEY O.G gained 168 rating points across 23 contests — the biggest climb of the year.

40 Teams Win Their First Grand Championship

40 teams won their first Grand Championship on record in 2020 — the biggest of them Bone Yard BBQ at Socially Distanced Smoking - Brisket presented by The BBQ League, against 109 teams.

MEAT RUSHMORE BBQ Collects Five Perfect 180s

MEAT RUSHMORE BBQ turned in 5 perfect 180s in 2020, level for the most of any team.

103 State Champions Crowned

103 state championships were decided in 2020. The biggest, Humble BBQ Cook off (117 teams), went to B-S BBQ Outlaw.

KenzielouQ Leads the Class of 2020

KenzielouQ cooked their first contest on record in 2020 and won 1 Grand Championship — the best season of 570 new teams.

Nobody Was Steadier Than Organizer Portal

Organizer Portal finished ahead of 86% of the field on average across 17 Master contests in 2020 — the steadiest season of anyone with 10 or more.

Bowmans Butt & BBQ Tops the Backyard Board at Second Annual KCBS World Invitational Barbeque Competition

Bowmans Butt & BBQ put up 356.0000 on the Backyard board at Second Annual KCBS World Invitational Barbeque Competition — two meats, a different scale, and the same nerves.

SOUTHERN DUTCH BBQ Runs Away With Vienna BBQ Days Day 1

SOUTHERN DUTCH BBQ won Vienna BBQ Days 2020 Day 1 by 25.7372 points over SCHLUCHTENGRILLER BBQ — the widest winning margin of the year.

Brisket Was the Hardest Meat of 2020

Brisket was the hardest meat to score in 2020: it averaged 165.00, against 166.97 for chicken.

117 Teams Roll Into Humble

Humble BBQ Cook off drew 117 teams, and B-S BBQ Outlaw won it.

134 Contests, Down 69% on 2019

134 contests were scored in 2020, down from 430 in 2019.

IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ Cooks Its 250th Contest

IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ cooked their 250th contest on record at Bring'n Home the Bacon Day 1, with 57 Grand Championships along the way.

It Took 696.27 to Win This Year

A Master Series win took an average of 696.27 in 2020, up 2.41 on 693.86 in 2019.

Nobody Hauled Further Than 4 LEGS UP BBQ

4 LEGS UP BBQ cooked 33 contests in 2020 — nobody hauled the rig further.

ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN Wins Covid-Que Relief Without Winning a Meat

ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN won Covid-Que Relief (Day 1) without winning a single meat — their best category finish was 2nd.

A New Contest Opens in Humble

Humble BBQ Cook off ran for the first time on record, drawing 117 teams, and B-S BBQ Outlaw won it. Somebody put in the work to make a new contest happen.

TIRE SMOKE BBQ Takes Reserve Three Times

TIRE SMOKE BBQ finished second overall 3 times in 2020 without a Grand Championship — one place short every time.

Seven Contests on One Friday

7 sanctioned contests were cooked on 19 Jun alone.

Missouri Hosts 22 Contests, More Than Anywhere

Missouri held 22 contests in 2020, more than anywhere else, with an average field of 37.

September Was the Busiest Month, With 27 Contests

September 2020 was the busiest month of 2020: 27 contests scored and 621 teams cooking. Read the September 2020 edition.

Doug Reid Works 16 Contests

Doug Reid repped 16 contests in 2020 — somebody has to run the table.

Section ABy InvitationA4

Every invitational of 2020. 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 40 teams won one for the first time on record — the 24 biggest fields shown

  1. Bone Yard BBQ Socially Distanced Smoking - Brisket presented by The BBQ League Apr 6 · 109 teams
  2. Shiggin aint easy Rockin BBQ May 29 · 66 teams
  3. Gardenvalley Smokers Sip & Swine BBQ Festival Mar 6 · 61 teams
  4. DIG'N N PIG'N Smoke in the Grove Jul 24 · 59 teams
  5. Weber's Backyard BBQ Smoke in the Grove Jul 24 · 59 teams
  6. Petie's Smokin Pits BBQ Firelake BBQ Cook Off-Day 2 Oct 24 · 58 teams
  7. T-N-T Que Crew-Barrett Beats, Brews, & BBQ Jun 12 · 55 teams
  8. Wicked Oak Bareque Lakeland Pig Festival Jan 24 · 53 teams
  9. D’Qued Barbeque York County BBQ Festival Jun 26 · 53 teams
  10. LEM'S MEAT VARNISH Best of the Midwest BBQ Oct 16 · 50 teams
  11. SMOKE SHOW The Golden State Battle II Jan 24 · 46 teams
  12. .Smokin' Mokers The Golden State Battle II Jan 24 · 46 teams
  13. KEVLAR BBQ All American BBQ Throwdown Aug 7 · 42 teams
  14. Hawgboyz BBQ Smokin For Garrett Oct 23 · 41 teams
  15. PIGTAILERS BBQ Bring'n Home the Bacon Day 1 Oct 16 · 40 teams
  16. MAGNUM P.I.G. MN BBQ TEAM Bring'n Home the Bacon Day 1 Oct 16 · 40 teams
  17. Tallulah Falls School Pit Vipers Georgia BBQ Championship Throwdown Nov 20 · 40 teams
  18. BACKYARD BRO'S BBQ Swine At the Shrine Sep 11 · 38 teams
  19. Iowa Smokey D's Real Squeal BBQ Smoke Off Jul 17 · 36 teams
  20. SMOKIN' TOAD'S Mozingo Lake BBQ Sep 5 · 34 teams
  21. Hickory Hangover Corums Building Center BBQ (BACKYARD ONLY) Mar 6 · 32 teams
  22. Salt City Barbecue Traeger NorUt State BBQ Championship Jun 19 · 32 teams
  23. Pits and Grills Smokin on the Osage (Day 2) Jul 18 · 31 teams
  24. WAG'S BACKWOODS BBQ 4th Annual E'burg BBQ Contest Jul 25 · 30 teams

The Rookie Class Teams whose first contest on record came in 2020 — 570 of them

The whole class of 2020 →

Section BThe Top TensB1

24 standings from the 2020 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 SMOKING BUTT HEADSPapa Joe's Banjo-B-Que & Music Festival 712.5832
  2. 2 SMOKING BUTT HEADSSecond Annual KCBS World Invitational Barbeque Competition 708.5600
  3. 3 MAN MEAT BBQCameron Elks BBQ Cook Off (Day 1) 708.5372
  4. 4 GETTIN' BASTEDRoast-N-Boast 708.0116
  5. 5 THE REAL SMOKIN ACESBig Blue Barbecue 707.4400
  6. 6 BACKYARD BRO'S BBQSwine At the Shrine 707.4060
  7. 7 YES, DEAR BBQGeorgia BBQ Championship Throwdown 707.4060
  8. 8 HIGH i QUEFarm Stock Smoke Off 706.8572
  9. 9 SWEET SMOKE QPapa Joe's Banjo-B-Que & Music Festival 706.8344
  10. 10 Pits and GrillsSmokin on the Osage (Day 2) 706.3088

Most Grand Championships

Contests won, counted once per contest

  1. 1 SLAPS BBQ28 contests · 19 top tens 6
  2. 2 GETTIN' BASTED27 contests · 18 top tens 5
  3. 3 BOOMERANG BBQ30 contests · 14 top tens 5
  4. 4 LEE LA Q15 contests · 13 top tens 4
  5. 5 Organizer Portal17 contests · 13 top tens 4
  6. 6 WHO CARES BBQ18 contests · 14 top tens 4
  7. 7 Heavy Smoke BBQ28 contests · 17 top tens 4
  8. 8 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN32 contests · 19 top tens 4
  9. 9 SOUTHERN DUTCH BBQ4 contests · 4 top tens 3
  10. 10 CHUNKY BBQ9 contests · 4 top tens 3

Most Reserve Championships

Second overall

  1. 1 GETTIN' BASTED5 GCs · 27 contests 4
  2. 2 TIRE SMOKE BBQ0 GCs · 8 contests 3
  3. 3 HIGH i QUE1 GC · 14 contests 3
  4. 4 LEE LA Q4 GCs · 15 contests 3
  5. 5 Heavy Smoke BBQ4 GCs · 28 contests 3
  6. 6 MAN MEAT BBQ1 GC · 30 contests 3
  7. 7 PARKSTAD SMOKERS0 GCs · 2 contests 2
  8. 8 Burnin and Lootin0 GCs · 7 contests 2
  9. 9 DAD'S GRILLIN CREW0 GCs · 7 contests 2
  10. 10 DRILLING & GRILLING0 GCs · 8 contests 2

Most Top-Ten Finishes

Top ten overall

  1. 1 SLAPS BBQof 28 contests 19
  2. 2 MAN MEAT BBQof 30 contests 19
  3. 3 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TNof 32 contests 19
  4. 4 GETTIN' BASTEDof 27 contests 18
  5. 5 Heavy Smoke BBQof 28 contests 17
  6. 6 B-S BBQ OUTLAWSof 30 contests 16
  7. 7 WHO CARES BBQof 18 contests 14
  8. 8 BOOMERANG BBQof 30 contests 14
  9. 9 LEE LA Qof 15 contests 13
  10. 10 LEM'S MEAT VARNISHof 16 contests 13

Most Calls

Top-ten finishes in the four meats

  1. 1 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN32 contests 65
  2. 2 GETTIN' BASTED27 contests 55
  3. 3 SLAPS BBQ28 contests 52
  4. 4 BOOMERANG BBQ30 contests 49
  5. 5 B-S BBQ OUTLAWS30 contests 48
  6. 6 Heavy Smoke BBQ28 contests 47
  7. 7 WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ21 contests 42
  8. 8 MAN MEAT BBQ30 contests 42
  9. 9 4 LEGS UP BBQ33 contests 39
  10. 10 WHO CARES BBQ18 contests 38

Most Category Wins

First place in a meat

  1. 1 Happy Grillmore11 contests 8
  2. 2 WHO CARES BBQ18 contests 8
  3. 3 Heavy Smoke BBQ28 contests 8
  4. 4 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN32 contests 8
  5. 5 One2BBQ16 contests 7
  6. 6 GETTIN' BASTED27 contests 7
  7. 7 B-S BBQ OUTLAWS30 contests 7
  8. 8 4 LEGS UP BBQ33 contests 7
  9. 9 LEE LA Q15 contests 6
  10. 10 Under the Radar16 contests 6

Most Perfect 180s

Six judges, every card a nine

  1. 1 MEAT RUSHMORE BBQ24 contests 5
  2. 2 4 LEGS UP BBQ33 contests 5
  3. 3 Under the Radar16 contests 4
  4. 4 Bald Hawg BBQ17 contests 4
  5. 5 WHO CARES BBQ18 contests 4
  6. 6 PALMETTO PITMASTERS12 contests 3
  7. 7 SMOKING BUTT HEADS12 contests 3
  8. 8 LA PASADITA16 contests 3
  9. 9 Rio Valley Meat BBQ18 contests 3
  10. 10 THE BBQ BUS21 contests 3

Best Average Score

Master overall, 8+ contests

  1. 1 HIGH i QUE13 contests 694.09
  2. 2 Angry Jack BBQ12 contests 691.39
  3. 3 SLAPS BBQ27 contests 691.05
  4. 4 MAN MEAT BBQ28 contests 690.72
  5. 5 WHO CARES BBQ17 contests 690.58
  6. 6 Happy Grillmore11 contests 690.57
  7. 7 GETTIN' BASTED26 contests 690.22
  8. 8 Boom Chicka Cow Cow15 contests 690.10
  9. 9 FAT BOYS BBQ - TEMPLE, TX8 contests 689.78
  10. 10 GETTIN' SAUCED8 contests 689.37

Most Consistent

Share of the field beaten, 10+ contests

  1. 1 Organizer Portal17 contests 86%
  2. 2 iBQ'n17 contests 86%
  3. 3 HIGH i QUE13 contests 85%
  4. 4 WHO CARES BBQ17 contests 85%
  5. 5 MAN MEAT BBQ28 contests 83%
  6. 6 GETTIN' BASTED26 contests 83%
  7. 7 Happy Grillmore11 contests 82%
  8. 8 SLAPS BBQ27 contests 82%
  9. 9 One2BBQ16 contests 82%
  10. 10 Boom Chicka Cow Cow15 contests 82%

Most Contests Cooked

Contests entered

  1. 1 4 LEGS UP BBQ0 GCs · 12 states 33
  2. 2 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN4 GCs · 12 states 32
  3. 3 BOOMERANG BBQ5 GCs · 9 states 30
  4. 4 B-S BBQ OUTLAWS3 GCs · 12 states 30
  5. 5 MAN MEAT BBQ1 GC · 7 states 30
  6. 6 SLAPS BBQ6 GCs · 8 states 28
  7. 7 Heavy Smoke BBQ4 GCs · 8 states 28
  8. 8 GETTIN' BASTED5 GCs · 13 states 27
  9. 9 PIGGIN' WHISKEY O.G2 GCs · 8 states 25
  10. 10 MEAT RUSHMORE BBQ1 GC · 6 states 24

Most States Cooked In

States and provinces

  1. 1 GETTIN' BASTED27 contests 13
  2. 2 4 LEGS UP BBQ33 contests 12
  3. 3 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN32 contests 12
  4. 4 B-S BBQ OUTLAWS30 contests 12
  5. 5 SmokinGhost BBQ20 contests 11
  6. 6 THE BBQ BUS21 contests 10
  7. 7 Shiggin aint easy18 contests 10
  8. 8 LEM'S MEAT VARNISH16 contests 10
  9. 9 BOOMERANG BBQ30 contests 9
  10. 10 Heavy Smoke BBQ28 contests 8

Biggest Rating Climbs

Power rating gained over the season

  1. 1 PIGGIN' WHISKEY O.G23 rated contests · now #358 +168
  2. 2 CHICKEN FRIED BBQ13 rated contests · now #180 +144
  3. 3 Poppa Pig12 rated contests · now #125 +122
  4. 4 Happy Grillmore11 rated contests · now #249 +122
  5. 5 DOUBLE BARREL BBQ - OK17 rated contests · now #783 +119
  6. 6 Shiggin aint easy16 rated contests · now #166 +106
  7. 7 LEM'S MEAT VARNISH15 rated contests · now #438 +105
  8. 8 Chingon BBQ10 rated contests · now #482 +98
  9. 9 D’Qued Barbeque7 rated contests · now #177 +95
  10. 10 Boom Chicka Cow Cow14 rated contests · now #118 +94

Best Rookie Seasons

First contest on record this season

  1. 1 KenzielouQ5 contests 1 GC
  2. 2 Weber's Backyard BBQ4 contests 1 GC
  3. 3 BACKYARD BRO'S BBQ2 contests · best 707.41 1 GC
  4. 4 Goorjus BBQ2 contests 1 GC
  5. 5 .Smokin' Mokers1 contest 1 GC
  6. 6 Iowa Smokey D's1 contest · best 699.41 1 GC
  7. 7 T-N-T Que Crew-Barrett1 contest 1 GC
  8. 8 Tallulah Falls School Pit Vipers1 contest 1 GC
  9. 9 Wicked Oak Bareque1 contest 1 GC
  10. 10 CHICKEN FRIED BBQ13 contests · best 706.26 —

Best Chicken

Out of 180

  1. 1 7-8-9 BBQSlab-O-Rama Barbeque Challenge 180.0000
  2. 2 PROUD SOULS BARBECUESlab-O-Rama Barbeque Challenge 180.0000
  3. 3 MAD MUTT'S BBQ2nd Annual Qlathe BBQ Championship 180.0000
  4. 4 Heavy Smoke BBQ2nd Annual Qlathe BBQ Championship 180.0000
  5. 5 BALLS OUT BBQSpeed & Feed BBQ Cook-Off & Car Show 180.0000
  6. 6 SLAPS BBQBeats, Brews, & BBQ 180.0000
  7. 7 SUPER SWINEDesoto Shrine Club 12th Annual BBQ Cook-Off 180.0000
  8. 8 Angry Jack BBQThe June Contest 180.0000
  9. 9 SMOKIN TIMBERS BBQKeepers of the Fire BBQ Contest 180.0000
  10. 10 MAN MEAT BBQCameron Elks BBQ Cook Off (Day 1) 180.0000

Best Pork Ribs

Out of 180

  1. 1 BOOMERANG BBQ2nd Annual Qlathe BBQ Championship 180.0000
  2. 2 Q-BONES BBQDesoto Shrine Club 12th Annual BBQ Cook-Off 180.0000
  3. 3 DRUM DADDY BBQBlack Silo Winery 180.0000
  4. 4 GETTIN' BASTEDGrillin and Chillin 180.0000
  5. 5 HIGH i QUEKeepers of the Fire BBQ Contest 180.0000
  6. 6 WHO CARES BBQKeepers of the Fire BBQ Contest 180.0000
  7. 7 GRAY WOLF BBQSmokin on the Osage (Day 2) 180.0000
  8. 8 MEAT RUSHMORE BBQSmokin' Trackside BBQ Bash 180.0000
  9. 9 BACKYARD BRO'S BBQSwine At the Shrine 180.0000
  10. 10 LEE LA QSmoke on the Falls 180.0000

Best Pork

Out of 180

  1. 1 White Squirrel BBQW.E.S.T. Winter Extreme South Tyrol BBQ Contest 180.0000
  2. 2 B' Mackin BBQThe Golden State Battle II 180.0000
  3. 3 THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQShotgun Fred BBQ Showdown 180.0000
  4. 4 BOOTIES BBQAlbany Bacon Championship 180.0000
  5. 5 B-S BBQ OUTLAWSCapital City Cook Off 180.0000
  6. 6 SMOKIN' SWEETMEATSSip & Swine BBQ Festival 180.0000
  7. 7 MEAT RUSHMORE BBQ2nd Annual Qlathe BBQ Championship 180.0000
  8. 8 QUE UCovid-Que Relief (Day 1) 180.0000
  9. 9 Stewbabys BBQThe June Contest 180.0000
  10. 10 UNCLE J'SGrillin and Chillin 180.0000

Best Brisket

Out of 180

  1. 1 Bushmaster BBQLakeland Pig Festival 180.0000
  2. 2 BOOTIES BBQAlbany Bacon Championship 180.0000
  3. 3 SUPER SWINEDesoto Shrine Club 12th Annual BBQ Cook-Off 180.0000
  4. 4 901QDesoto Shrine Club 12th Annual BBQ Cook-Off 180.0000
  5. 5 BOGGS HOG BBQYork County BBQ Festival 180.0000
  6. 6 4 LEGS UP BBQKeepers of the Fire BBQ Contest 180.0000
  7. 7 DIG'N N PIG'NSmoke in the Grove 180.0000
  8. 8 LOVE 2 QSmokin' Trackside BBQ Bash 180.0000
  9. 9 SLAPS BBQSmokin' Trackside BBQ Bash 180.0000
  10. 10 MAN MEAT BBQBBQ & Fly in on the River 180.0000

Best Backyard Scores

Backyard overall, out of 360

  1. 1 Bowmans Butt & BBQSecond Annual KCBS World Invitational Barbeque Competition 356.0000
  2. 2 Hickory HangoverCorums Building Center BBQ (BACKYARD ONLY) 353.1200
  3. 3 Ham SquadBonifay All American Smoker Competition 352.5828
  4. 4 The Real Squeal BBQCapital City Cook Off 352.5716
  5. 5 LEE LA QSmoke on the Falls 352.5600
  6. 6 LEE LA QKick It In The Sticks (BACKYARD ONLY) 352.0116
  7. 7 The Real Squeal BBQMission Q (Backyard Only) 349.7372
  8. 8 MURPHY'S BACKYARD BBQMission Q (Backyard Only) 349.7260
  9. 9 Magnolia BBQMission Q (Backyard Only) 349.7028
  10. 10 PUCKDADDY'S KILLER QSecond Annual KCBS World Invitational Barbeque Competition 348.5372

Biggest Fields

Teams at one contest

  1. 1 Humble BBQ Cook offwon by B-S BBQ Outlaw 117
  2. 2 Socially Distanced Smoking - Brisket presented by The BBQ Leaguewon by Bone Yard BBQ 109
  3. 3 Second Annual KCBS World Invitational Barbeque Competitionwon by Smoking Butt Heads 94
  4. 4 Smoke in the Springwon by Tebo Creek BBQ 93
  5. 5 Covid-Que Relief (Day 1)won by Rooters-n-Tooters 69
  6. 6 2nd Annual Qlathe BBQ Championshipwon by Heavy Smoke BBQ 68
  7. 7 Rockin BBQwon by Shiggin' Aint Easy 66
  8. 8 Ottumwa Smoketoberfestwon by Iowa Smokey D's BBQ 66
  9. 9 Firelake BBQ Cook Off-Day 1won by Boomerang BBQ 64
  10. 10 Covid-Que Relief (Day 2)won by One2BBQ 63

Closest Finishes

Points between first and second

  1. 1 KEVLAR BBQover BooyaQ · Rumble on the River Presented by TheBBQSuperStore.com 0.0572
  2. 2 RUB MY RACKover Petie's Smokin Pits BBQ · The Oklahoma Grand BBQ Championship Day 2 0.0576
  3. 3 SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIVEover HICKORY AND SPICE BBQ · The Tyson Guinea Pig, Matt Dalton Memorial 0.0684
  4. 4 GETTIN' BASTEDover THUNDER HOG BBQ · TN River BBQ Battle & Music Fest 0.0688
  5. 5 FIRE DANCER BBQover Poppa Pig · Desoto Shrine Club 12th Annual BBQ Cook-Off 0.5256
  6. 6 Piggin' Whiskeyover SMOKIN' TEX BBQ · "Last Chance" KnoQ-out - CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES 0.5368
  7. 7 SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQover GETTIN' SAUCED · BBQ & Fly in on the River 0.5600
  8. 8 SLAPS BBQover HIGH i QUE · Nevada Chamber Low and Slow Barbecue cook off 0.5712
  9. 9 Pits and Grillsover BYO GRILL · Smokin on the Osage (Day 2) 0.5716
  10. 10 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TNover BOOMERANG BBQ · Bring'n Home the Bacon Day 2 0.5828

Biggest Winning Margins

Points clear of second

  1. 1 SOUTHERN DUTCH BBQover SCHLUCHTENGRILLER BBQ · Vienna BBQ Days 2020 Day 1 25.74
  2. 2 Iowa Smokey D'sover LUCKY'S Q · Real Squeal BBQ Smoke Off 20.54
  3. 3 One2BBQover BLUE ISLAND BBQ CO. · Covid-Que Relief (Day 2) 15.42
  4. 4 Ribs n Pigs BBQover Smokin Genius · Zero 2 Hero BBQ Challenge 15.39
  5. 5 GETTIN' BASTEDover Downing Street BBQ · Red Rock BBQ 15.39

Biggest Upsets

The winner’s chance on pre-contest ratings

  1. 1 CHUNKY BBQNew Jersey KnoQ-out: DAY 2-CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES 6%
  2. 2 DOUBLE BARREL BBQ - OKSmokin on the Osage (Day 1) 6%
  3. 3 Shiggin aint easyRockin BBQ 6%
  4. 4 Iowa Smokey D'sReal Squeal BBQ Smoke Off 7%
  5. 5 BACKYARD BRO'S BBQSwine At the Shrine 7%
  6. 6 PIGTAILERS BBQBring'n Home the Bacon Day 1 8%
  7. 7 DIG'N N PIG'NSmoke in the Grove 8%
  8. 8 Pits and GrillsSmokin on the Osage (Day 2) 8%
  9. 9 WAG'S BACKWOODS BBQ4th Annual E'burg BBQ Contest 8%
  10. 10 PIGGIN' WHISKEY O.GKickin It Route 66 Barbeque Challenge 9%

Busiest Reps

Contests worked

  1. 1 Doug Reid 16
  2. 2 Alan Rothrock 14
  3. 3 Ralph Williams 11
  4. 4 Karen Jane Williams 10
  5. 5 Louise Weidner 10
  6. 6 Alex Jr Brown 9
  7. 7 Bob McKinnon 8
  8. 8 Bunny Tuttle 8
  9. 9 Phil Morrow Phb 8
  10. 10 Rich Tuttle 8

Busiest States

Contests held · average field

  1. 1 Missouriaverage field 37 22
  2. 2 Georgiaaverage field 43 17
  3. 3 Kansasaverage field 61 17
  4. 4 Alabamaaverage field 25 11
  5. 5 Indianaaverage field 48 9
  6. 6 Oklahomaaverage field 57 8
  7. 7 New Jerseyaverage field 26 7
  8. 8 Virginiaaverage field 25 6
  9. 9 Iowaaverage field 46 5
  10. 10 South Carolinaaverage field 29 5
Section BMeat by MeatB2

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

MeatAverageAvg. winnerEntries180sper 1,000WinnersBest of the year
Chicken 166.97 177.44 5,207 49 9.4 119 7-8-9 BBQ 180
Pork Ribs 165.24 176.85 5,305 15 2.8 123 BOOMERANG BBQ 180
Pork 166.24 177.89 4,433 31 7 98 White Squirrel BBQ 180
Brisket 165 177.89 4,602 46 10 96 Bushmaster BBQ 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 7 400 700.5372 Smoke Central BBQ 117 Humble BBQ Cook off 5
February 7 210 704.0344 THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ 50 The Tyson Guinea Pig, Matt Dalton Memorial 4
March 6 273 697.1200 Heavy Smoke BBQ 68 2nd Annual Qlathe BBQ Championship 6
April 1 109 — 109 Socially Distanced Smoking - Brisket presented by The BBQ League 0
May 1 66 698.3088 Shiggin aint easy 66 Rockin BBQ 0
June 16 477 706.2972 BOOMERANG BBQ 69 Covid-Que Relief (Day 1) 13
July 22 529 708.5372 MAN MEAT BBQ 61 Keepers of the Fire BBQ Contest 16
August 18 484 707.4400 THE REAL SMOKIN ACES 55 BBQ & Fly in on the River 16
September 27 621 712.5832 SMOKING BUTT HEADS 56 The Oklahoma Grand BBQ Championship Day 1 45
October 23 653 708.0116 GETTIN' BASTED 93 Smoke in the Spring 24
November 6 252 708.5600 SMOKING BUTT HEADS 94 Second Annual KCBS World Invitational Barbeque Competition 12
Section BThe Year Against the LastB4

2020 set against 2019.

Measure20202019Change
Contests scored 134 430 ▼ 296 (-69%)
Teams competing 2,195 6,888 ▼ 4,693 (-68%)
Team entries 5,348 16,152 ▼ 10,804 (-67%)
Different Grand Champions 101 292 ▼ 191 (-65%)
Average field 36.8 34.8 ▲ 2.0 (6%)
Biggest field 117 468 ▼ 351 (-75%)
Average winning score 696.27 693.86 ▲ 2.41
Top score 712.5832 714.8572 ▼ 2.2740
Perfect 180s 141 304 ▼ 163 (-54%)

Notes on the Season from the 2020 season page

  • Jan 3 → Dec 26 Season ran first and last contest on the 2020 calendar
  • 4.54 Average winning margin across 121 Master contests · 2 settled by tiebreaker
  • 5,497 Walks to the stage top-ten calls handed out in the four meats
  • 570 New teams first tracked contest anywhere was in 2020
  • 166 Contest series distinct recurring contests on the calendar
  • 8 contests Busiest weekend all on Sep 11, 2020
  • 83 Reps working KCBS reps on the season’s contests
  • Brisket Toughest table lowest average of the four meats at 165
  • 8 Outside the rating invitationals and non-points contests that do not move a power rating
  • 39 Cancelled contests that came off the calendar
  • 43 Results still out of 177 contests on the 2020 calendar
Section CBack IssuesC1

Every season in review, and every month with scored results, back to the start of the record. ← 2019 in review 2021 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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