The one to beat
2×
one call ahead of them
The Smokin' B.A.R. has finished one call ahead of STEVE'S PIG PIKINS BBQ 2 times — their closest competition in the data.
STEVE'S PIG PIKINS BBQ
At a glance (everything the results say about this team, in numbers)
Rating
1396
peak 1396 · rated over 19 contests ⓘ
Contests
19
in the data
First seen
2013-05-02
latest 2026-05-23
Best ToY finish
#644
Master 2026
Grand champs
0
0 reserve
Category wins
0
2 podiums
Overall top-10s
0
of 19 contests
Avg finish
top 85%
overall standings
Perfect 180s
0
Current form
651.62 ▲
last 5 Master vs avg 631.67 (+19.95)
Walk rate
16%
contests with a top-10 call
Consistency
±25.13
std dev of Master overall scores (lower = steadier)
Strongest meat
Pork
avg 160.34 · weakest Brisket (151.77)
Road miles
884
mi across 19 mapped stops · furthest 239 mi
Schedule strength
69%
of rated fields were softer than their average draw (1587)
Purse competed for
$96K
listed at 8 contests — purses, not winnings
State championships
0 🏅
GCs in 8 state-championship entries
Master avg
631.67 / 720
19 Master contests · 0 GCs
Storylines (7 found in this team's record)
Each card leads with the number that made it a story — read straight out of their results, no editorialising.
A tough matchup
15–0
behind in the head-to-head
LOOT N' BOOTY BBQ ahead in 100% of their meetings
LOOT N' BOOTY BBQ has come out ahead in 15 of their 15 shared contests.
The weak link
−8.6
points behind their best meat
Brisket is where the weekend gets away from them — it averages 8.57 points below their pork, and turns into a call 5% of the time against 0%.
- Brisket avg 151.77
- Pork avg 160.34
- 1 calls in 19 entries
A strong matchup
5–1
ahead in the head-to-head
Ahead in 83% of their meetings
They've finished ahead of INFINITE SMOKE BBQ in 5 of their 6 shared contests.
The comeback
3.3 yrs
off the trail, then back
Off the trail for 3.3 years, then back at Slab-O-Rama Barbeque Challenge (2023-01-13).
- last seen 2019-09-27
- back 2023-01-13
Pork nemesis
14 of 15
shared pork entries lost
LOOT N' BOOTY BBQ ahead 93% of the time
Even in their strongest meat, LOOT N' BOOTY BBQ has out-cooked them in 14 of 15 shared pork entries.
Looking over their shoulder
2×
one call behind them
LUCKY LADIES BBQ has landed one call behind them 2 times.
Teams like this (closest power rating)
The nearest teams in the power rankings, with a different reason on each card — six teams on one rating are rarely on it for the same reason. Rating decides who makes the list; where teams tie on it, the ones this team has actually cooked against come first, then teams at a similar point in their own career. KCBS doesn’t publish where a team is from, so nothing here is inferred from geography.
#6310 of the rated field
- Contests
- 18
- GCs
- 0
- Top-10s
- 11%
- Peak
- 1396
No shared contest yet.
This is the highest they've ever been rated, 18 rated contests in — a team sitting at its own career peak.
⚔ Head-to-head#6306 of the rated field
- Contests
- 17
- GCs
- 0
- Top-10s
- 0%
- Peak
- 1396
No shared contest yet.
Careers of much the same size, 17 contests to 19, so neither rating has had more chance to settle than the other.
⚔ Head-to-head#6308 of the rated field
- Contests
- 16
- GCs
- 0
- Top-10s
- 6%
- Peak
- 1396
No shared contest yet.
Their last contest in the data was back in 2020, 6 years before STEVE'S PIG PIKINS BBQ's most recent — their rating stopped moving when they stopped cooking.
⚔ Head-to-head#6304 of the rated field
- Contests
- 13
- GCs
- 0
- Top-10s
- 0%
- Peak
- 1397
No shared contest yet.
13 contests and no Grand Championship yet.
⚔ Head-to-head#6309 of the rated field
- Contests
- 13
- GCs
- 0
- Top-10s
- 0%
- Peak
- 1396
No shared contest yet.
Both teams' first contest in the data came in 2013.
⚔ Head-to-head#6305 of the rated field
- Contests
- 30
- GCs
- 0
- Top-10s
- 3%
- Peak
- 1396
No shared contest yet.
Level with STEVE'S PIG PIKINS BBQ on power rating, which is the whole reason they're on the list.
⚔ Head-to-headFamiliar foes (most-met opponents in overall standings — one meeting per contest)
| Opponent | Meetings | Ahead | Behind | Win rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LOOT N' BOOTY BBQ | 15 | 0 | 15 | 0% | ⚔ compare |
| BIG POPPA SMOKERS | 12 | 0 | 12 | 0% | ⚔ compare |
| All About Smokin Q | 10 | 0 | 10 | 0% | ⚔ compare |
| SIMPLY MARVELOUS BBQ | 10 | 0 | 10 | 0% | ⚔ compare |
| Vegas Grillbillies | 10 | 0 | 10 | 0% | ⚔ compare |
| Rhythm n QUE | 9 | 0 | 9 | 0% | ⚔ compare |
| GIRLS CAN GRILL | 8 | 2 | 6 | 25% | ⚔ compare |
| MAR-B-QUE'S BBQ | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0% | ⚔ compare |
| Porterhouse BBQ | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0% | ⚔ compare |
| Burnin and Lootin | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0% | ⚔ compare |
| ZZYZX BAR.B.Q | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0% | ⚔ compare |
| The Smokin' B.A.R. | 7 | 1 | 6 | 14% | ⚔ compare |
| Meat Candy Q | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0% | ⚔ compare |
| SMOKIN' VOLTS BBQ | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0% | ⚔ compare |
| STEVO'S BBQ TEAM | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0% | ⚔ compare |
By meat
| Category | Entries | Calls | Wins | Podiums | Best | Worst | Average | Avg finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken | 19 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 176.5716 | 143.9998 | 160.12 | top 76% |
| Pork Ribs | 19 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 177.7144 | 127.3484 | 159.43 | top 73% |
| Pork | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 170.2628 | 139.3600 | 160.34 | top 73% |
| Brisket | 19 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 166.2284 | 128.4228 | 151.77 | top 84% |
“Calls” = top-10 category finishes (getting called to the stage). Scores here are the final weighted totals KCBS publishes; per-criterion appearance/taste/tenderness marks aren’t in the public results feed.
By state / province
| Where | Contests | GCs | Avg finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| NV | 17 | 0 | top 86% |
| AZ | 2 | 0 | top 83% |
By contest size
| Field | Contests | GCs | Avg finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medium (20–39) | 15 | 0 | top 84% |
| Large (40+) | 4 | 0 | top 93% |
Contest-by-contest record (recurring contests they've cooked twice or more)
| Contest | Visits | Best | GCs | Avg finish | Last visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Dam BBQ | 3 | 23 | 0 | top 77% | 2026-05-23 |
| BBQ Jackpot | 2 | 70 | 0 | top 91% | 2025-11-21 |
| Best Dam Barbeque | 2 | 20 | 0 | top 73% | 2024-05-24 |
The story so far (17 numbers that describe this team)
On the trail
13.1 yrs
2013-05-02 → 2026-05-23
Busiest season
2013
4 contests
Contests a season
1.7
across 11 seasons in the data
Cooks most in
NV
17 of 19 contests · 2 states/provinces in all
Contests visited
15
3 of them cooked more than once
Most-entered meat
Chicken
19 entries · 0 wins · 1 calls
Strongest meat
Pork
averages 160.34 · weakest Brisket (151.77)
Walk rate
16%
a top-10 call in 3 of 19 contests
Overall top-10 rate
0%
0 of 19 contests
Master average
631.67
out of 720 · 19 contests · 0 GCs
Opponents faced
330
98–601 across every shared overall standing
Road miles
884
19 mapped stops · furthest 239 mi
Schedule strength
1587
average field rating faced — tougher than 69% of rated contests
Purse competed for
$95,650
listed at 8 contests — purses, not winnings
State championships
0
from 8 state-championship entries
Longest layoff
3.3 yrs
2019-09-27 → 2023-01-13
Power rating
1396
peak 1396 · #6307 of 6,413 rated
Milestones (the firsts, the round numbers and the personal bests)
- 2013
- First tracked contest Smoke on the Water NEVADA BBQ Championship
- First call Smoke on the Water NEVADA BBQ Championship
- Peak power rating (1490) Smoke on the Water NEVADA BBQ Championship
- 2017
- First overall past 90% of a perfect score656.4916 Best Dam BBQ
- 2018
- 10th tracked contest *Best Dam Barbeque
- 2024
- Career-best single call (Pork Ribs)177.7144 Best Dam Barbeque
- 2025
- Career-best overall score658.6972 BBQ Jackpot
- 2026
- Most recent contest Best Dam BBQ
Power rating over time (1500 = average; recomputed nightly)
📈 Biggest rating jumps
| Swing | Contest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| +2.8 | Best Dam BBQ | 2017-05-26 |
| +1 | *Best Dam Barbeque | 2018-05-25 |
📉 Toughest weekends
| Swing | Contest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| -12.3 | 9th Annual Best Dam Barbecue Challenge | 2013-05-24 |
| -11.4 | Smokin in Mesquite BBQ Championship | 2013-08-31 |
| -10.4 | Smoke on the Water NEVADA BBQ Championship | 2013-05-02 |
| -8.9 | Downtown Throw Down Barbecue Championship | 2013-12-13 |
| -8.5 | Down Town Throw Down Barbecue Championships | 2016-12-09 |
Category scores over time
Overall finish over time (top-% of field, lower is better)
Where they finish (overall)
Best vs average (by meat)
How entries end (by meat)
Team of the Year rank by season
Season by season
| Season | Contests | GCs | Top-10s | Category wins | Walk rate | Avg finish | Best overall (% of perfect) | Avg overall (% of perfect) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% | top 86% | 90.8% | 90.5% |
| 2025 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% | top 87% | 91.5% | 91.3% |
| 2024 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50% | top 87% | 91.1% | 90.1% |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% | top 93% | 85.9% | 85.9% |
| 2019 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% | top 73% | 90.3% | 90.3% |
| 2018 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% | top 77% | 90.9% | 90% |
| 2017 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50% | top 79% | 91.2% | 87.2% |
| 2016 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% | top 100% | 87.4% | 87.4% |
| 2015 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% | top 87% | 87.4% | 87.4% |
| 2014 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% | top 77% | 88% | 88% |
| 2013 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25% | top 90% | 84.6% | 82.5% |
Contest history (click a row for the event, a column to sort)
| Date | Event | Overall | Chicken | Ribs | Pork | Brisket |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-23 | Best Dam BBQ 🏅 Boulder City, NV | 27 / 33 (654.1140) | 31 (160.5256) | 26 (165.7144) | 28 (161.6456) | 21 (166.2284) |
| 2026-04-17 | The Downtown Grand Master BBQ Showdown 🏅 Las Vegas, NV | 26 / 29 (648.4340) | 28 (155.3828) | 26 (164.5600) | 22 (168.5372) | 25 (159.9540) |
| 2025-11-21 | BBQ Jackpot 🏅 Las Vegas, NV | 79 / 90 (658.6972) | 70 (166.2400) | 15 (174.2744) | 74 (163.9656) | 86 (154.2172) |
| 2025-05-23 | Best Dam BBQ 🏅 Boulder City, NV | 25 / 29 (655.8512) | 16 (168.5484) | 22 (166.2400) | 17 (170.2628) | 29 (150.8000) |
| 2024-12-06 | BBQ Jackpot 🏅 Las Vegas, NV | 70 / 74 (640.9940) | 51 (166.8228) | 63 (163.3828) | 64 (160.5484) | 73 (150.2400) |
| 2024-05-24 | Best Dam Barbeque 🏅 Boulder City, NV | 26 / 33 (655.7940) | 30 (158.2168) | 3 (177.7144) | 18 (169.6800) | 27 (150.1828) |
| 2023-01-13 | Slab-O-Rama Barbeque Challenge 🏅 Bullhead City, AZ | 42 / 45 (618.6632) | 29 (164.5372) | 25 (165.7144) | 36 (159.9888) | 43 (128.4228) |
| 2019-09-27 | Mazatzal Grill Masters-BBQ Competition & Testicle Festival 🏅 Payson, AZ | 24 / 33 (650.1716) | 17 (166.2628) | 13 (168.5256) | 19 (165.7144) | 30 (149.6688) |
| 2018-12-14 | Down Town Barbecue Throwdown Las Vegas, NV | 28 / 32 (641.6228) | 31 (155.3828) | 29 (158.2400) | 19 (167.4056) | 23 (160.5944) |
| 2018-05-25 | *Best Dam Barbeque Boulder City, NV | 20 / 30 (654.1372) | 24 (164.5372) | 23 (159.9428) | 16 (165.7028) | 17 (163.9544) |
| 2017-12-15 | Down Town Barbecue Throw down (JUDGES FULL) Las Vegas, NV | 29 / 30 (598.6056) | 30 (155.9312) | 29 (147.3944) | 30 (139.3600) | 27 (155.9200) |
| 2017-05-26 | Best Dam BBQ Boulder City, NV | 23 / 37 (656.4916) | 3 (176.5716) | 23 (162.8000) | 28 (161.1544) | 27 (155.9656) |
| 2016-12-09 | Down Town Throw Down Barbecue Championships Las Vegas, NV | 28 / 28 (629.5884) | 17 (167.9884) | 27 (157.1544) | 28 (149.0628) | 25 (155.3828) |
| 2015-12-11 | 2015 Downtown Barbecue Throwdown Las Vegas, NV | 26 / 30 (629.0628) | 17 (168.0000) | 29 (153.1200) | 13 (168.5828) | 30 (139.3600) |
| 2014-12-12 | 2014 Down Town Throw Down Las Vegas, NV | 20 / 26 (633.6228) | 25 (149.7028) | 17 (161.6684) | 15 (163.9772) | 22 (158.2744) |
| 2013-12-13 | Downtown Throw Down Barbecue Championship Las Vegas, NV | 23 / 25 (605.0056) | 24 (148.5144) | 20 (157.6800) | 18 (161.7256) | 24 (137.0856) |
| 2013-08-31 | Smokin in Mesquite BBQ Championship Mesquite, NV | 51 / 54 (579.9424) | 41 (155.9884) | 54 (127.3484) | 38 (155.4400) | 49 (141.1656) |
| 2013-05-24 | 9th Annual Best Dam Barbecue Challenge Boulder City, NV | 32 / 35 (581.7136) | 32 (143.9998) | 31 (144.5712) | 32 (149.7140) | 30 (143.4286) |
| 2013-05-02 | Smoke on the Water NEVADA BBQ Championship Laughlin, NV | 21 / 25 (609.1424) | 21 (149.1424) | 22 (153.1428) | 23 (144.0000) | 10 (162.8572) |
Career map (orange GC · green top-10 · grey the rest — tap a pin)
Team of the Year standings (rank per category by season — year links to the full board on kcbs.us)
| Year | Series | Overall | Chicken | Ribs | Pork | Brisket |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 ↗ | Master | #644 (172 pts) | #720 (172 pts) | #665 (222 pts) | #640 (187 pts) | #638 (192 pts) |
| 2025 ↗ | Master | #953 (114 pts) | #860 (159 pts) | #988 (129 pts) | #849 (154 pts) | #988 (114 pts) |
| 2024 ↗ | Master | #1480 (58 pts) | #1512 (58 pts) | #757 (233 pts) | #1097 (93 pts) | #1480 (58 pts) |
| 2023 ↗ | Master | #1255 (60 pts) | #1319 (60 pts) | #1432 (60 pts) | #1287 (60 pts) | #1296 (60 pts) |
| 2019 ↗ | Master | #1938 (63 pts) | #1818 (98 pts) | #1673 (118 pts) | #1858 (88 pts) | #2481 (58 pts) |
| 2018 ↗ | Master | #1448 (137 pts) | #1728 (117 pts) | #1604 (122 pts) | #1314 (187 pts) | #1439 (162 pts) |
| 2017 ↗ | Master | #1691 (125 pts) | #1151 (290 pts) | #1785 (125 pts) | #1937 (115 pts) | #1949 (115 pts) |
| 2016 ↗ | Master | #2967 (53 pts) | #2173 (93 pts) | #2965 (53 pts) | #2963 (53 pts) | #2964 (53 pts) |
| 2015 ↗ | Master | #2779 (55 pts) | #2017 (95 pts) | #2785 (55 pts) | #1923 (115 pts) | #2783 (55 pts) |
| 2014 ↗ | Master | #2079 (76 pts) | #2818 (51 pts) | #2073 (91 pts) | #2035 (101 pts) | #2611 (66 pts) |
| 2013 ↗ | Master | #1308 (190 pts) | #1395 (185 pts) | #1367 (200 pts) | #1309 (205 pts) | #1191 (240 pts) |