SaucyRossyBBQ KCBS Helper

← The latest edition · The 2022 season page

The annual edition

Every sanctioned contest scored in 2022.

Covering KCBS-sanctioned contests

The Smoke Ring

Competition Barbecue’s Paper of Record

The Index

Annual edition Saturday, December 31, 2022 Price: One Coffee

The 2022 Season in Review

376 contests scored
4,577 teams competing
716.0000 top score, out of 720 LOCAL YOKELS BBQ
11,308 team entries
227 different Grand Champions
102 first-time winners
157 won exactly once
453 perfect 180s
13,509 top-ten calls
1,430 new teams
49% of last year’s teams came back
505 biggest field
30 average field
698.39 average winning score
652.58 lowest winning score
4.41 average winning margin
1 settled by tiebreaker
49 states & provinces
16 countries
231 state championships
7 invitationals
97 reps at the table
2.5 contests per team
$2,301K in published purses
46 cancelled

Team of the Year

Uncle Pig's Barbeque Pit Is 2022 Team of the Year

2,761 points to top the KCBS Master Series standings, ahead of SLAPS BBQ.

By The Smoke Ring Staff

2,761
Master Series Team of the Year points

Uncle Pig's Barbeque Pit finished 2022 as KCBS Master Series Team of the Year on 2,761 points, with SLAPS BBQ second.

Across 2022, 376 sanctioned contests were scored, across 49 states and provinces, drawing 4,577 teams to the turn-in table. Judges made 13,509 top-ten calls and handed out 453 perfect 180s. 1,430 teams appear in the record for the first time. The top tens run on B1.

  • Chicken: ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN
  • Pork Ribs: GETTIN' BASTED
  • Pork: Uncle Pig's Barbeque Pit
  • 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 Uncle Pig's Barbeque Pit 2,761
  2. 2 SLAPS BBQ 2,704
  3. 3 TRIPLE H BBQ 2,699
  4. 4 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN 2,671
  5. 5 JANKY LEG BBQ 2,668
  6. 6 Smoke Me Silly 2,661
  7. 7 4 LEGS UP BBQ 2,653
  8. 8 GETTIN' BASTED 2,636
  9. 9 Heavy Smoke BBQ 2,621
  10. 10 Fergolicious BBQ 2,620
  11. 10 SOUTHERN DUTCH BBQ 2,620

Category Teams of the Year: Chicken — ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN; Pork Ribs — GETTIN' BASTED; Pork — Uncle Pig's Barbeque Pit; Brisket — ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN.

Section AThe Year in BriefA3

By invitation only

QUE U Wins the American Royal Invitational

Best of 249 invited teams, with Bushmaster BBQ in reserve — a win for the record book that leaves the power rating alone.

249 invited teams, one Grand Champion

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — QUE U won American Royal World Series of Barbecue - INVITATIONAL CONTEST, best of 249 invited teams; Bushmaster BBQ took reserve. An invite-only field, so it leaves the power rating alone and goes straight into the record book.

  • top score 711.9656
  • 7 invitationals in 2022
  • not in the power rating

Score of the year

LOCAL YOKELS BBQ Turns In the Year’s Best Card

716.0000 out of 720 at Smoke on the Ohio — the highest Master overall scored in 2022.

716.0000 Master overall, out of 720

MT. VERNON, Ind. — LOCAL YOKELS BBQ put up 716.0000 at Smoke on the Ohio — the highest overall of the year.

Hottest hand

Ten Grand Championships in 2022 for Ham Squad

Nobody else in the field ran a hotter hand.

10× Grand Championships

Ham Squad took 10 Grand Championships in 2022.

They will not let it go

Three Straight at City of Springs BBQ Championship for CLARK CREW BBQ

Every edition of City of Springs BBQ Championship since 2019 has gone the same way.

3 in a row wins at this contest

SULPHUR, Okla. — CLARK CREW BBQ won City of Springs BBQ Championship (One Meat Ribs) again — 3 straight editions of this contest.

  • 2019–2022
  • field of 6

First one ever

MEAT ME IN ST. LOUIS Wins Its First, on the 76th Try

A first Grand Championship at Atlanta BBQ Store Classic, after 76 contests in the record.

76th contest — and their first GC

CUMMING, Ga. — MEAT ME IN ST. LOUIS won their first Grand Championship at Atlanta BBQ Store Classic, in their 76th contest in the data.

  • 18 Nov

Upset of the year

The Long Shot Comes In at Poosa Q

The ratings gave Bearded Monkeys Twisted Q a 7% chance, with GETTIN' BASTED the team to beat.

7-in-100 shot on pre-contest ratings

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Bearded Monkeys Twisted Q won Poosa Q over top-rated GETTIN' BASTED as the ratings underdog.

Also in 2022

Judges Hand Out 453 Perfect 180s

Six judges, every card a 9: 453 perfect 180s were handed out in 2022.

Decided by 0.0000 of a Point

4 LEGS UP BBQ edged WHEN PIGS DIE by 0.0000 at Central Plains Ribfest.

Eggspert BBQ Back on Top After Five Years

Eggspert BBQ won The Art of BBQ — their first Grand Championship since September 2016, after 17 contests without one.

Optimus Swine Sets the Record at New Holland Summer Fest

Optimus Swine put up 698.8000 at New Holland Summer Fest — the best overall in 9 editions of the contest on record, past the old mark of 694.8112.

BIG POPPA SMOKERS Takes Three of Four Meats at Clayton BBQ Cook-off

BIG POPPA SMOKERS won 3 of 4 meats at Clayton BBQ Cook-off (chicken, pork and brisket), and the Grand Championship with them.

Swine-O-licious BBQ Climbs 153 Rating Points

Swine-O-licious BBQ gained 153 rating points across 13 contests — the biggest climb of the year.

102 Teams Win Their First Grand Championship

102 teams won their first Grand Championship on record in 2022 — the biggest of them COCAMOKE SMOKE BBQ at 4th Annual KCBS World Invitational - OPEN, against 91 teams.

SLAPS BBQ Collects 14 Perfect 180s

SLAPS BBQ turned in 14 perfect 180s in 2022, the most of any team.

219 State Champions Crowned

219 state championships were decided in 2022. The biggest, American Royal World Series of Barbecue - OPEN CONTEST (505 teams), went to QUE U.

Fluffy Butt BBQ Leads the Class of 2022

Fluffy Butt BBQ cooked their first contest on record in 2022 and won 3 Grand Championships — the best season of 1,430 new teams.

Nobody Was Steadier Than SOUTHERN DUTCH BBQ

SOUTHERN DUTCH BBQ finished ahead of 91% of the field on average across 19 Master contests in 2022 — the steadiest season of anyone with 10 or more.

Swine-O-licious BBQ Tops the Backyard Board at Car-B-Que (BACKYARD ONLY)

Swine-O-licious BBQ put up 358.8572 on the Backyard board at Car-B-Que (BACKYARD ONLY) — two meats, a different scale, and the same nerves.

BIG POPPA SMOKERS Runs Away With Clayton BBQ Cook-off

BIG POPPA SMOKERS won Clayton BBQ Cook-off by 19.5088 points over Porterhouse BBQ — the widest winning margin of the year.

Brisket Was the Hardest Meat of 2022

Brisket was the hardest meat to score in 2022: it averaged 164.32, against 166.73 for chicken.

505 Teams Roll Into Kansas City

American Royal World Series of Barbecue - OPEN CONTEST drew 505 teams, and QUE U won it.

376 Contests, Up 21% on 2021

376 contests were scored in 2022, up from 310 in 2021.

GETTIN' BASTED Cooks Its 350th Contest

GETTIN' BASTED cooked their 350th contest on record at American Royal World Series of Barbecue - INVITATIONAL CONTEST, with 59 Grand Championships along the way.

It Took 698.39 to Win This Year

A Master Series win took an average of 698.39 in 2022, up 1.17 on 697.22 in 2021.

Nobody Hauled Further Than ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN

ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN cooked 49 contests in 2022 — nobody hauled the rig further.

QUE U Wins American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Invitational Contest Without Winning a Meat

QUE U won American Royal World Series of Barbecue - INVITATIONAL CONTEST without winning a single meat — their best category finish was 4th.

A New Contest Opens in Lenexa

The Great Lenexa BBQ Battle - Kansas State Championship ran for the first time on record, drawing 164 teams, and Love 2 Q won it. Somebody put in the work to make a new contest happen.

BOGGS HOG BBQ Takes Reserve Three Times

BOGGS HOG BBQ finished second overall 3 times in 2022 without a Grand Championship — one place short every time.

14 Contests on One Friday

14 sanctioned contests were cooked on 7 Oct alone.

Missouri Hosts 45 Contests, More Than Anywhere

Missouri held 45 contests in 2022, more than anywhere else, with an average field of 26.

September Was the Busiest Month, With 56 Contests

September 2022 was the busiest month of 2022: 56 contests scored and 1,488 teams cooking. Read the September 2022 edition.

Lynda Voth Works 29 Contests

Lynda Voth repped 29 contests in 2022 — somebody has to run the table.

Section ABy InvitationA4

Every invitational of 2022. 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 102 teams won one for the first time on record — the 24 biggest fields shown

  1. COCAMOKE SMOKE BBQ 4th Annual KCBS World Invitational - OPEN Nov 11 · 91 teams
  2. NO LOOKIN' COOKIN' Poosa Q May 5 · 72 teams
  3. Valtek Permian Basin Barbeque Cook-off (BACKYARD ONLY) Sep 29 · 64 teams
  4. Barely Sober BBQ Lakeland Pig Festival Jan 28 · 60 teams
  5. Son of a Boar BBQ Minnesota in May (Masters) May 13 · 59 teams
  6. Big Daddy G's BBQ Raider Red Meat BBQ & Ribeye Championships Aug 19 · 59 teams
  7. MEAT ME IN ST. LOUIS Atlanta BBQ Store Classic Nov 18 · 57 teams
  8. LITTLE ROOSTER Atlanta BBQ Store Classic Nov 18 · 57 teams
  9. Chingon BBQ Cedar Fest BBQ Cook-Off Apr 1 · 56 teams
  10. LOVE-N-SMOKE BBQ Gives Back (Day 2) (Masters and Backyard) Mar 26 · 50 teams
  11. Blue Ribbon BBQ NC Swine At the Shrine Aug 5 · 49 teams
  12. CBF Que Jiggy With The Piggy May 13 · 46 teams
  13. BnB BBQ Original SD BBQ Championship Jun 3 · 46 teams
  14. Off in The Pits Septemberfest BBQ & RibEye Steak Cookoff Challenge Sep 3 · 45 teams
  15. Stone Cold Grillers Vine St. BBQ Competition & Fest (BACKYARD ONLY) Aug 20 · 41 teams
  16. Lucky Shoes BBQ Bring'n Home the Bacon Day 1 (MASTER & BACKYARD) Jun 10 · 39 teams
  17. SWEET DIXIE BBQ BBQ Boogie & Blues Apr 29 · 37 teams
  18. Double Trouble BBQ Horse Town Brew N Que Festival Jun 3 · 37 teams
  19. Smoke 'n Magic Made for KC BBQ Championship (COMPETITORS SERIES) Jun 10 · 36 teams
  20. Bluerock Smokers Barbeque on the Bow Sep 3 · 36 teams
  21. T-Rex BBQ King of the Corn Oct 14 · 36 teams
  22. Barking Pig BBQ Smoke on the Falls Apr 8 · 34 teams
  23. MRC_Barbecue York County BBQ Festival Jun 17 · 34 teams
  24. Small Axe BBQ Sweet Home Icebox Cookoff 2022 Jul 2 · 34 teams

The Rookie Class Teams whose first contest on record came in 2022 — 1,430 of them

The whole class of 2022 →

Section BThe Top TensB1

24 standings from the 2022 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 LOCAL YOKELS BBQSmoke on the Ohio 716.0000
  2. 2 SLAPS BBQDodge City Days Smokin' Saddles BBQ Competition (Day 1) 714.2744
  3. 3 JANKY LEG BBQDodge City Days Smokin' Saddles BBQ Competition (Day 2) 711.9888
  4. 4 LOOT N' BOOTY BBQ9th Annual Santa Anita Winners' Circle BBQ Championship 711.9772
  5. 5 Uncle Pig's Barbeque PitSmoke on the Mountain BBQ Championship 2022 711.9772
  6. 6 QUE UAmerican Royal World Series of Barbecue - INVITATIONAL CONTEST 711.9656
  7. 7 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TNHoosier BBQ Classic Day 2 710.8688
  8. 8 4 LEGS UP BBQ6th Annual Smoke on the Trails 710.8344
  9. 9 Swine Life BBQInternational Goat Days Championship BBQ Contest 710.2860
  10. 10 Uncle Pig's Barbeque PitBBQ Gives Back (Day 2) (Masters and Backyard) 710.2744

Most Grand Championships

Contests won, counted once per contest

  1. 1 Ham Squad31 contests · 22 top tens 10
  2. 2 Uncle Pig's Barbeque Pit43 contests · 28 top tens 9
  3. 3 SOUTHERN DUTCH BBQ20 contests · 16 top tens 8
  4. 4 JANKY LEG BBQ37 contests · 30 top tens 6
  5. 5 SLAPS BBQ43 contests · 31 top tens 6
  6. 6 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN49 contests · 37 top tens 6
  7. 7 QUE U16 contests · 9 top tens 5
  8. 8 COOKLOUNGE BBQ18 contests · 14 top tens 5
  9. 9 Swine-O-licious BBQ19 contests · 13 top tens 5
  10. 10 Meat Candy Q21 contests · 17 top tens 5

Most Reserve Championships

Second overall

  1. 1 WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ1 GC · 32 contests 6
  2. 2 4 LEGS UP BBQ4 GCs · 40 contests 6
  3. 3 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN6 GCs · 49 contests 6
  4. 4 Fluffy Butt BBQ3 GCs · 15 contests 5
  5. 5 White Squirrel BBQ2 GCs · 22 contests 5
  6. 6 Bushmaster BBQ2 GCs · 25 contests 5
  7. 7 Optimus Swine2 GCs · 25 contests 5
  8. 8 GETTIN' BASTED3 GCs · 36 contests 5
  9. 9 Organizer Portal5 GCs · 38 contests 5
  10. 10 Heavy Smoke BBQ3 GCs · 39 contests 5

Most Top-Ten Finishes

Top ten overall

  1. 1 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TNof 49 contests 37
  2. 2 Organizer Portalof 38 contests 31
  3. 3 SLAPS BBQof 43 contests 31
  4. 4 JANKY LEG BBQof 37 contests 30
  5. 5 TRIPLE H BBQof 44 contests 29
  6. 6 Uncle Pig's Barbeque Pitof 43 contests 28
  7. 7 4 LEGS UP BBQof 40 contests 24
  8. 8 Heavy Smoke BBQof 39 contests 23
  9. 9 Ham Squadof 31 contests 22
  10. 10 Fergolicious BBQof 34 contests 22

Most Calls

Top-ten finishes in the four meats

  1. 1 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN49 contests 111
  2. 2 Uncle Pig's Barbeque Pit43 contests 99
  3. 3 SLAPS BBQ43 contests 93
  4. 4 TRIPLE H BBQ44 contests 88
  5. 5 4 LEGS UP BBQ40 contests 85
  6. 6 JANKY LEG BBQ37 contests 80
  7. 7 Organizer Portal38 contests 79
  8. 8 CHUNKY BBQ42 contests 76
  9. 9 GETTIN' BASTED36 contests 73
  10. 10 White Squirrel BBQ22 contests 72

Most Category Wins

First place in a meat

  1. 1 Uncle Pig's Barbeque Pit43 contests 21
  2. 2 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN49 contests 19
  3. 3 SOUTHERN DUTCH BBQ20 contests 16
  4. 4 JANKY LEG BBQ37 contests 13
  5. 5 Ham Squad31 contests 12
  6. 6 4 LEGS UP BBQ40 contests 12
  7. 7 SLAPS BBQ43 contests 12
  8. 8 COOKLOUNGE BBQ18 contests 11
  9. 9 Meat Candy Q21 contests 11
  10. 10 White Squirrel BBQ22 contests 11

Most Perfect 180s

Six judges, every card a nine

  1. 1 SLAPS BBQ43 contests 14
  2. 2 Uncle Pig's Barbeque Pit43 contests 12
  3. 3 JANKY LEG BBQ37 contests 11
  4. 4 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN49 contests 10
  5. 5 Fergolicious BBQ34 contests 9
  6. 6 TRIPLE H BBQ44 contests 9
  7. 7 Meat Candy Q21 contests 6
  8. 8 GETTIN' BASTED36 contests 6
  9. 9 Heavy Smoke BBQ39 contests 6
  10. 10 4 LEGS UP BBQ40 contests 6

Best Average Score

Master overall, 8+ contests

  1. 1 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN44 contests 695.53
  2. 2 RAZORRACKS22 contests 694.98
  3. 3 LOOT N' BOOTY BBQ11 contests 694.76
  4. 4 GETTIN' BASTED30 contests 694.59
  5. 5 Organizer Portal36 contests 694.50
  6. 6 JANKY LEG BBQ36 contests 694.23
  7. 7 SLAPS BBQ38 contests 693.92
  8. 8 TRIPLE H BBQ38 contests 693.87
  9. 9 TIRE SMOKE BBQ13 contests 693.62
  10. 10 LOCAL YOKELS BBQ11 contests 693.50

Most Consistent

Share of the field beaten, 10+ contests

  1. 1 SOUTHERN DUTCH BBQ19 contests 91%
  2. 2 SHIGGIN & GRINNIN14 contests 88%
  3. 3 TIRE SMOKE BBQ13 contests 88%
  4. 4 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN44 contests 88%
  5. 5 GETTIN' BASTED30 contests 87%
  6. 6 JANKY LEG BBQ36 contests 87%
  7. 7 Organizer Portal36 contests 86%
  8. 8 SLAPS BBQ38 contests 86%
  9. 9 Meat Candy Q21 contests 86%
  10. 10 LOOT N' BOOTY BBQ11 contests 86%

Most Contests Cooked

Contests entered

  1. 1 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN6 GCs · 18 states 49
  2. 2 TRIPLE H BBQ5 GCs · 11 states 44
  3. 3 Uncle Pig's Barbeque Pit9 GCs · 14 states 43
  4. 4 SLAPS BBQ6 GCs · 9 states 43
  5. 5 CHUNKY BBQ4 GCs · 15 states 42
  6. 6 4 LEGS UP BBQ4 GCs · 10 states 40
  7. 7 SmokinGhost BBQ3 GCs · 14 states 40
  8. 8 MEAT RUSHMORE BBQ2 GCs · 7 states 40
  9. 9 Heavy Smoke BBQ3 GCs · 13 states 39
  10. 10 Dogpatch Q1 GC · 12 states 39

Most States Cooked In

States and provinces

  1. 1 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN49 contests 18
  2. 2 CHUNKY BBQ42 contests 15
  3. 3 GETTIN' BASTED36 contests 15
  4. 4 Uncle Pig's Barbeque Pit43 contests 14
  5. 5 SmokinGhost BBQ40 contests 14
  6. 6 Piggin' Whiskey32 contests 14
  7. 7 Heavy Smoke BBQ39 contests 13
  8. 8 Organizer Portal38 contests 13
  9. 9 Texas Smoke Whisperer29 contests 13
  10. 10 Dogpatch Q39 contests 12

Biggest Rating Climbs

Power rating gained over the season

  1. 1 Swine-O-licious BBQ13 rated contests · now #148 +153
  2. 2 JANKY LEG BBQ32 rated contests · now #3 +150
  3. 3 TRIPLE H BBQ34 rated contests · now #15 +148
  4. 4 Fluffy Butt BBQ10 rated contests · now #455 +134
  5. 5 Furlongs Smoke & Seafood18 rated contests · now #168 +126
  6. 6 WEEZ'S GROOVIN' BBQ16 rated contests · now #47 +122
  7. 7 Ham Squad22 rated contests · now #124 +122
  8. 8 Smoke 'n Magic17 rated contests · now #790 +121
  9. 9 COOKLOUNGE BBQ15 rated contests · now #171 +120
  10. 10 Ash Kickin' BBQ8 rated contests · now #440 +119

Best Rookie Seasons

First contest on record this season

  1. 1 Fluffy Butt BBQ15 contests 3 GCs
  2. 2 Glamping Grillers6 contests · best 706.25 2 GCs
  3. 3 SLATER HOUSE BBQ6 contests 2 GCs
  4. 4 Colorado Bulldawg BBQ17 contests · best 695.41 1 GC
  5. 5 West Coast BBQ Shop13 contests · best 700.56 1 GC
  6. 6 Small Axe BBQ10 contests · best 704.57 1 GC
  7. 7 16 Mesh BBQ7 contests · best 696.00 1 GC
  8. 8 Pinky Out BBQ4 contests 1 GC
  9. 9 Too Sauced BBQ3 contests · best 684.56 1 GC
  10. 10 Beards BBQ2 contests · best 640.99 1 GC

Best Chicken

Out of 180

  1. 1 MUDVILLE BBQThe Golden State Battle IV - Day 1 180.0000
  2. 2 SIMPLY MARVELOUS BBQThe Golden State Battle IV - Day 2 180.0000
  3. 3 MUDVILLE BBQThe Golden State Battle IV - Day 2 180.0000
  4. 4 MEAT ME IN ST. LOUISSip & Swine BBQ Festival 180.0000
  5. 5 SWEET DIXIE BBQSip & Swine BBQ Festival 180.0000
  6. 6 YES, DEAR BBQSip & Swine BBQ Festival 180.0000
  7. 7 FRED VEGAS SMOKERSBBQ Gives Back (Day 1) (Masters and Backyard) 180.0000
  8. 8 Full Throttle BBQBBQ Gives Back (Day 1) (Masters and Backyard) 180.0000
  9. 9 BAR-B-QUE MAYHAMBBQ Gives Back (Day 2) (Masters and Backyard) 180.0000
  10. 10 DOUBLE BARREL BBQ - OKBeats, Brews, & BBQ 180.0000

Best Pork Ribs

Out of 180

  1. 1 NOTHING COMPARES 2 QThe Golden State Battle IV - Day 1 180.0000
  2. 2 BIG RED BBQThe Golden State Battle IV - Day 2 180.0000
  3. 3 TRIPLE H BBQLakeland Pig Festival 180.0000
  4. 4 SWEET DIXIE BBQSip & Swine BBQ Festival 180.0000
  5. 5 LEE LA QFoley BBQ & Blues Cook Off (BACKYARD ONLY) 180.0000
  6. 6 BAD AZZ MULE BBQBBQ Gives Back (Day 1) (Masters and Backyard) 180.0000
  7. 7 JANKY LEG BBQKickin It Route 66 Barbeque Challenge - Day 2 180.0000
  8. 8 OLD VIRGINIA SMOKEBBQ Gives Back (Day 2) (Masters and Backyard) 180.0000
  9. 9 Meat Candy Q9th Annual Santa Anita Winners' Circle BBQ Championship 180.0000
  10. 10 LOOT N' BOOTY BBQ9th Annual Santa Anita Winners' Circle BBQ Championship - Day 2 180.0000

Best Pork

Out of 180

  1. 1 Meat Candy QThe Golden State Battle IV - Day 2 180.0000
  2. 2 West Coast BBQ ShopBBQ & Brew 'Best in the Southwest' Festival 180.0000
  3. 3 SmokinGhost BBQSip & Swine BBQ Festival 180.0000
  4. 4 JANKY LEG BBQKickin It Route 66 Barbeque Challenge - Day 1 180.0000
  5. 5 ACES HIGH BBQIowa State BBQ Championship 180.0000
  6. 6 BIG POPPA SMOKERS9th Annual Santa Anita Winners' Circle BBQ Championship - Day 2 180.0000
  7. 7 Meat Candy Q9th Annual Santa Anita Winners' Circle BBQ Championship - Day 2 180.0000
  8. 8 BULL MARKET BBQ9th Annual Santa Anita Winners' Circle BBQ Championship - Day 2 180.0000
  9. 9 SmokinGhost BBQCCSFEST 180.0000
  10. 10 CHOOCHOO BBQSmoke on the Falls 180.0000

Best Brisket

Out of 180

  1. 1 Uncle Kenny's Take-AwaySouthern Sunshine BBQ Fest 180.0000
  2. 2 SMOKIN' SWEETMEATSSip & Swine BBQ Festival 180.0000
  3. 3 One2BBQSmoke on The Shores 180.0000
  4. 4 D’Qued BarbequeBBQ Gives Back (Day 1) (Masters and Backyard) 180.0000
  5. 5 Not So Famous Dave's BBQBBQ Gives Back (Day 2) (Masters and Backyard) 180.0000
  6. 6 Uncle Pig's Barbeque PitBBQ Gives Back (Day 2) (Masters and Backyard) 180.0000
  7. 7 Top Gun BarbecueBBQ Gives Back (Day 2) (Masters and Backyard) 180.0000
  8. 8 Organizer PortalSmokin' For Down Syndrome 180.0000
  9. 9 WAG'S BACKWOODS BBQIowa State BBQ Championship 180.0000
  10. 10 KNIFE PORK AND SPOON9th Annual Santa Anita Winners' Circle BBQ Championship - Day 2 180.0000

Best Backyard Scores

Backyard overall, out of 360

  1. 1 Swine-O-licious BBQCar-B-Que (BACKYARD ONLY) 358.8572
  2. 2 Fluffy Butt BBQRod Trowbridge Memorial Cook Flyin (Backyard) 356.5600
  3. 3 Wrecking Crew BBQBoo-B-Que BBQ Championship Day 2 356.0000
  4. 4 Hickory HangoverMission Q (Backyard Only) 355.4288
  5. 5 Furlongs Smoke & SeafoodBourbon, Brews & BBQ (BACKYARD) 355.4172
  6. 6 Sensuous BBQBourbon, Brews & BBQ (BACKYARD) 355.4172
  7. 7 Fluffy Butt BBQCar-B-Que (BACKYARD ONLY) 355.4172
  8. 8 PUCKDADDY'S KILLER QMission Q (Backyard Only) 354.8688
  9. 9 Mispillion Meat WorksTwin Valley Fire and Smoke 354.2856
  10. 10 Swine-O-licious BBQRod Trowbridge Memorial Cook Flyin (Backyard) 354.2628

Biggest Fields

Teams at one contest

  1. 1 American Royal World Series of Barbecue - OPEN CONTESTwon by QUE U 505
  2. 2 American Royal World Series of Barbecue - INVITATIONAL CONTESTwon by QUE U 249
  3. 3 The Great Lenexa BBQ Battle - Kansas State Championshipwon by Love 2 Q 164
  4. 4 Smoke in the Springwon by Last Call Heroes BBQ 94
  5. 5 South Carolina Festival of Discoverywon by SMOKIN' SWEETMEATS 92
  6. 6 4th Annual KCBS World Invitational - OPENwon by Cocamoke Smoke BBQ 91
  7. 7 Shawnee Great Grillers State Championshipwon by 913 BBQ 87
  8. 8 Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational Barbecue (Competitor's Series) (JUDGES BY INVITATION ONLY)won by Heavy Smoke BBQ 83
  9. 9 Red, White, Blue BBQ Competitionwon by Slaps BBQ 77
  10. 10 Sip & Swine BBQ Festivalwon by SMOKINGHOSTBBQ 73

Closest Finishes

Points between first and second

  1. 1 Son of a Boar BBQover CITY SLICKERS BBQ · Minnesota in May (Masters) 0.0112
  2. 2 SLAPS BBQover GETTIN' SAUCED · Red, White, Blue BBQ Competition 0.0116
  3. 3 WHO CARES BBQover Organizer Portal · The Real Squeal BBQ & Music Festival 0.0116
  4. 4 WOOD HOOK BBQover DOUBLE BARREL BBQ - OK · Beats, Brews, & BBQ 0.0232
  5. 5 CHUNKY BBQover BOGGS HOG BBQ · I Love Barbecue & Music Festival (Masters) (JUDGING FULL) 0.0232
  6. 6 WHO CARES BBQover GETTIN' BASTED · Lakeland Pig Festival 0.0344
  7. 7 Knockstone BBQ Team Austriaover White Squirrel BBQ · 3rd Wild King BBQ Contest (Day 2) 0.0344
  8. 8 Heifers, Butts, & Clucks BBQover Big Daddy's Backyard BBQ · Meat Scream BBQ Competition-Day 2 0.0344
  9. 9 B' Mackin BBQover SMOKIN' VOLTS BBQ · Big Bear Grill & Chill BBQ Championships (Day 2) 0.0348
  10. 10 PORKRASTINATORSover Ash Kickin' BBQ · Iowa State BBQ Championship 0.0456

Biggest Winning Margins

Points clear of second

  1. 1 BIG POPPA SMOKERSover Porterhouse BBQ · Clayton BBQ Cook-off 19.51
  2. 2 Ribs n Pigs BBQover Smokin Steve's BBQ · Smokin' in the Valley 18.34
  3. 3 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQover SHIGGIN & GRINNIN · 10th Annual Deaths Door Barbeque 17.75
  4. 4 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TNover SMOKE-N-PEPPERS · Hoosier BBQ Classic Day 2 16.08
  5. 5 LOOT N' BOOTY BBQover Meat Candy Q · 9th Annual Santa Anita Winners' Circle BBQ Championship 16.03

Biggest Upsets

The winner’s chance on pre-contest ratings

  1. 1 Bearded Monkeys Twisted QPoosa Q 7%
  2. 2 Swine Life BBQInternational Goat Days Championship BBQ Contest 7%
  3. 3 SMOKIN' VOLTS BBQBig Bear Grill & Chill BBQ Championships (Day 1) 8%
  4. 4 ZIPS BBQPapa Joe's Banjo-B-Que Music Festival 8%
  5. 5 BIG RED BBQ9th Annual Santa Anita Winners' Circle BBQ Championship - Day 2 8%
  6. 6 SWEET DIXIE BBQBBQ Boogie & Blues 8%
  7. 7 7 SINS BBQBBQ on the Bay Day 2 9%
  8. 8 Go Pig or Go HomeKnights Of Columbus BBQ Smoke Off "4 Life" 9%
  9. 9 Blue Ribbon BBQ NCSwine At the Shrine 9%
  10. 10 BAD ROOSTER BBQBig BBQ Bash 10%

Busiest Reps

Contests worked

  1. 1 Lynda Voth 27
  2. 2 Larry Voth 26
  3. 3 Rich Tuttle 25
  4. 4 Bunny Tuttle 24
  5. 5 Louise Weidner 23
  6. 6 Dave Rogers 22
  7. 7 Jeanne Titus 22
  8. 8 Peg Rogers 22
  9. 9 Ed Young 19
  10. 10 Julie Poe 19

Busiest States

Contests held · average field

  1. 1 Missouriaverage field 26 45
  2. 2 Kansasaverage field 60 38
  3. 3 Californiaaverage field 25 24
  4. 4 Georgiaaverage field 38 24
  5. 5 Alabamaaverage field 34 20
  6. 6 Indianaaverage field 29 18
  7. 7 Illinoisaverage field 29 17
  8. 8 Oklahomaaverage field 23 16
  9. 9 Tennesseeaverage field 35 14
  10. 10 Wisconsinaverage field 27 14
Section BMeat by MeatB2

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

MeatAverageAvg. winnerEntries180sper 1,000WinnersBest of the year
Chicken 166.73 177.72 11,176 152 13.6 260 MUDVILLE BBQ 180
Pork Ribs 165.22 176.64 12,084 72 6 298 NOTHING COMPARES 2 Q 180
Pork 166.37 177.96 9,729 113 11.6 213 Meat Candy Q 180
Brisket 164.32 177.73 9,245 116 12.5 196 Uncle Kenny's Take-Away 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 6 262 705.0972 Meat Candy Q 60 Lakeland Pig Festival 8
February 2 55 708 LOOT N' BOOTY BBQ 34 BBQ & Brew 'Best in the Southwest' Festival 1
March 20 529 710.2744 Uncle Pig's Barbeque Pit 73 Sip & Swine BBQ Festival 19
April 45 1,019 711.9772 LOOT N' BOOTY BBQ 94 Smoke in the Spring 57
May 42 890 709.1888 D’Qued Barbeque 72 Poosa Q 37
June 52 1,293 710.8688 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN 164 The Great Lenexa BBQ Battle - Kansas State Championship 54
July 46 899 714.2744 SLAPS BBQ 92 South Carolina Festival of Discovery 56
August 39 946 707.4056 TRIPLE H BBQ 59 Raider Red Meat BBQ & Ribeye Championships 39
September 56 1,488 716 LOCAL YOKELS BBQ 505 American Royal World Series of Barbecue - OPEN CONTEST 84
October 49 1,238 710.2744 THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ 83 Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational Barbecue (Competitor's Series) (JUDGES BY INVITATION ONLY) 68
November 16 353 708.5372 SMOKIN' SWEETMEATS 91 4th Annual KCBS World Invitational - OPEN 30
December 3 51 700.0004 SOUTHERN DUTCH BBQ 15 Burn in Hell - When Hell Freezes Over 0
Section BThe Year Against the LastB4

2022 set against 2021.

Measure20222021Change
Contests scored 376 310 ▲ 66 (21%)
Teams competing 4,577 4,258 ▲ 319 (7%)
Team entries 11,308 10,553 ▲ 755 (7%)
Different Grand Champions 227 206 ▲ 21 (10%)
Average field 29.8 31.8 ▼ 2.0 (-6%)
Biggest field 505 467 ▲ 38 (8%)
Average winning score 698.39 697.22 ▲ 1.17
Top score 716.0000 716.0116 ▼ 0.0116
Perfect 180s 453 312 ▲ 141 (45%)

Notes on the Season from the 2022 season page

  • Jan 7 → Dec 9 Season ran first and last contest on the 2022 calendar
  • 4.41 Average winning margin across 271 Master contests · 1 settled by tiebreaker
  • 13,509 Walks to the stage top-ten calls handed out in the four meats
  • 1,430 New teams first tracked contest anywhere was in 2022
  • 416 Contest series distinct recurring contests on the calendar
  • 17 contests Busiest weekend all on Oct 7, 2022
  • 97 Reps working KCBS reps on the season’s contests
  • Brisket Toughest table lowest average of the four meats at 164.32
  • 11 Outside the rating invitationals and non-points contests that do not move a power rating
  • 46 Cancelled contests that came off the calendar
  • 96 Results still out of 472 contests on the 2022 calendar
Section CBack IssuesC1

Every season in review, and every month with scored results, back to the start of the record. ← 2021 in review 2023 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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