Tactics in Petanque Where to place the jack:  Long or short, on smooth or rough ground. Where to place the first boule:  Boule devant, boule d’argent, meaning a boule  is front (of the jack) is better than boules behind or to the side.   Do you shoot or point? Point if you think you can beat the opponent’s boule, otherwise shoot. However, many factors need to be taken into account:  the score and how many point you need  the ability of the players  the risk of a shot going wrong, either pointing or shooting Why shoot? The most common reason is to remove an opponent’s boule that’s difficult to beat. Other reasons include:  To gain extra points – you have 4 boules in the head but the opponents are holding the 2^nd boule. If you shoot it, you will win 4 or 5 points. If you point, you can only win 1 or 2 points.  To remove a blocking boule which risks being knocked on if you point.  Shooting the jack, either to win extra points or to save a hopeless end. Shoot first or “point one, then shoot”? The opponents have played a good first boule, do you shoot it straight away or “point one, then shoot”? Like everything in petanque, “it depends” and you need to evaluate various factors, e.g.:  If you carreau, all well and good, but if you remove the boule but don’t carreau, will you have the advantage? Perhaps you need to “point one, then shoot”.  What’s the risk of the jack moving? If the boule is on or close to the jack, the risk is higher and you should probably shoot first. If you point, then shoot and the jack moves, your pointed boule is probably wasted.  If you point and your boule is close to the target boule, you’ve made the shooter’s job more difficult – don’t blame them if they hit the wrong boule!  The pointing and shooting abilities of both teams. Misc  Always have a team-mate at the jack, checking the head and advising on the best shot.  Blocking boule? Don’t aim straight at the jack, play to the side.  Play as a team, agree the jack, evaluate the head and agree what shot to play.  Playing with and against different players on different terrains will improve you game much more than always playing with the same players on the same terrain.  Join the EPA and play in competitions with other clubs.  It’s great fun and the best way to improve your game.