In this edition
Every sanctioned contest scored in December 2025.
Covering KCBS-sanctioned contests
The Smoke Ring
Competition Barbecue’s Paper of Record
The Index
- Grand Champions A2
- The Month in Brief A3
- Perfect Scores A5
- Ratings Market A6
- New to the Circuit A8
- Box Scores B1
- Complete Results B4
- Back Issues C4
Score of the month
BAD ROOSTER BBQ Turns In the Month’s Best Card
709.6800 out of 720 at Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship (OPEN FORMAT) — the highest Master overall scored in December 2025.
top 1% of every Master overall ever scored
DEMOPOLIS, Ala. — BAD ROOSTER BBQ put up 709.6800 at Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship (OPEN FORMAT) — the highest overall of the month.
Across December 2025, 1 sanctioned contest was scored, in one state or province, drawing 27 teams to the turn-in table. Judges made 40 top-ten calls and handed out 3 perfect 180s. 4 teams appear in the record for the first time. The full standings run on B1.
Every Grand Championship in this edition — 1 in all.
First one ever
BAMA BOYS BBQ Wins Its First, on the 51st Try
A first Grand Championship at Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship (OPEN FORMAT), after 51 contests in the record.
51st contest — and their first GC
DEMOPOLIS, Ala. — BAMA BOYS BBQ won their first Grand Championship at Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship (OPEN FORMAT), in their 51st contest in the data.
Upset of the month
The Long Shot Comes In at Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship (OPEN FORMAT)
The ratings gave BAD ROOSTER BBQ a 22% chance, with GETTIN' BASTED the team to beat.
22-in-100 shot on pre-contest ratings
DEMOPOLIS, Ala. — BAD ROOSTER BBQ won Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship (OPEN FORMAT) over top-rated GETTIN' BASTED as the ratings underdog.
Perfect 180s
Judges Hand Out Three Perfect 180s
Six cards, every one a nine — 3 times in December 2025.
3 perfect scores handed out
Six judges, every card a 9: 3 perfect 180s were handed out in December 2025.
Also in Dec 2025
Decided by 8.0228 Points
BAD ROOSTER BBQ edged ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN by 8.0228 at Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship (OPEN FORMAT).
BAMA BOYS BBQ Climbs 19 Rating Points
BAMA BOYS BBQ gained 19 rating points across 1 contest — the biggest climb of the month.
Bad Rooster Crowned at Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship
Bad Rooster won Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship (OPEN FORMAT), a state championship, against a field of 21.
BAD ROOSTER BBQ Runs Away With Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship
BAD ROOSTER BBQ won Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship (OPEN FORMAT) by 8.0228 points over ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN — the widest winning margin of the month.
21 Teams Roll Into Demopolis
Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship (OPEN FORMAT) drew 21 teams, and Bad Rooster won it.
MEMPHIS ORIGINAL BBQ Cooks Its 100th Contest
MEMPHIS ORIGINAL BBQ cooked their 100th contest on record at Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship (OPEN FORMAT), with 1 Grand Championship along the way.
Perfect 180s
3 perfect scores — six judges, every card a nine.
The Ratings Market Power rating and the move over Dec 2025; # is the team’s place in the power rankings
| Team | Rating | Chg. |
|---|---|---|
| BAMA BOYS BBQ #2,116 | 1,534 | ▲ 19 |
| Blue Smoke Q #664 | 1,647 | ▲ 13 |
| BAD ROOSTER BBQ #199 | 1,757 | ▲ 11 |
| MSqUe | 1,502 | ▲ 11 |
| RIBLIFE #223 | 1,750 | ▲ 8 |
| Southern Swine #889 | 1,618 | ▲ 7 |
| Rollin Smoke BBQ #154 | 1,777 | ▲ 6 |
| ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN #8 | 1,931 | ▲ 4 |
| Team | Rating | Chg. |
|---|---|---|
| Kith n' Kin #254 | 1,740 | ▲ 4 |
| Smoking Wizard II | 1,510 | ▲ 3 |
| Demopolis Church of God | 1,492 | ▼ 8 |
| Electro-Que-ted #140 | 1,783 | ▼ 8 |
| GETTIN' BASTED #11 | 1,921 | ▼ 10 |
| Kickin' Butt BBQ | 1,485 | ▼ 10 |
| Organizer Portal #95 | 1,812 | ▼ 12 |
Full power rankings → · Ratings move only on rated contests; invitationals and non-points events are excluded.
New to the Circuit First appearance anywhere in the record — the figure is their best finish
- 13th Dans Butt Sauce BBQ Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship (OPEN FORMAT)
- 14th Power House Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship (OPEN FORMAT)
- 15th Captain Morgan's Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship (OPEN FORMAT)
- 19th Demopolis Church of God Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship (OPEN FORMAT)
Best of Each Meat
Both series, out of 180
| Meat | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken | GETTIN' BASTED Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship (OPEN FORMAT) |
178.8572 |
| Pork Ribs†2 | Poppa Pig Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship (OPEN FORMAT) |
180 |
| Pork† | BAD ROOSTER BBQ Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship (OPEN FORMAT) |
180 |
| Brisket | Glamping Grillers Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship (OPEN FORMAT) |
177.7028 |
† a perfect 180 was scored in this category during the edition.
Who Showed Up
Contests · Grand Championships · best overall finish
| Team | C | GC | Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAD ROOSTER BBQ | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| BAMA BOYS BBQ | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| RIBLIFE | 1 | — | 2 |
| ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN | 1 | — | 2 |
| Blue Smoke Q | 1 | — | 3 |
| Rollin Smoke BBQ | 1 | — | 3 |
| Poppa Pig | 1 | — | 4 |
| Smokey Bees BBQ - MS | 1 | — | 4 |
| Kith n' Kin | 1 | — | 5 |
| MSqUe | 1 | — | 5 |
| Glamping Grillers | 1 | — | 6 |
| Southern Swine | 1 | — | 6 |
| GETTIN' BASTED | 1 | — | 7 |
| RAZORRACKS | 1 | — | 8 |
| MEMPHIS ORIGINAL BBQ | 1 | — | 9 |
Who Ran the Table
Contests worked · states & provinces
| Rep | C | St. |
|---|---|---|
| Carol Bigler | 1 | 1 |
| Debra Gage | 1 | 1 |
| Randy G Bigler | 1 | 1 |
Where They Cooked
Contests · teams
| State/Prov. | C | Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1 | 27 |
Every sanctioned contest scored in this edition — 1 in all, newest first. Click a column head to sort; click a row for the contest.
| Contest | Grand Champion | High score |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship (OPEN FORMAT) Dec. 5 · Demopolis, Ala. · 21 teams |
Bad Rooster | 709.6800 |
Contests Advertised
- Red White & Que - CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES (Day 1) — Friday, Oct. 23. West Creek, N.J. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
- Red White & Que - CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES (ONE MEAT CHICKEN) — Friday, Oct. 23. West Creek, N.J. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
- VPD Back the Blue BBQ Competition — Friday, Oct. 23. Vidalia, La. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
- Rock Lane Presents Grills Gone Wild — Friday, Oct. 23. Branson, Mo. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
- The Butcher's Smoke & Flames Barbeque Cookoff (BACKYARD ONLY) — Friday, Oct. 23. Cullman, Ala. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
- Foothills Smoke-Off Challenge — Friday, Oct. 23. Lenoir, N.C. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
- Red White & Que - CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES (Day 2) — Saturday, Oct. 24. West Creek, N.J. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
- Red White & Que - CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES (ONE MEAT RIBS) — Saturday, Oct. 24. West Creek, N.J. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
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