Are you sure you want to shoot the jack in petanque?

So let us look at a typical end. Your first point is approximately 3 inches or 75mm from the jack. It settles to the side and the opposition thinking they can see the jack so it is an easy point play all 6 boule against it. They create a circle around the jack but none of the boule are holding. The defence is so good you opt for the jack shot. Plan is to move it from its current position to a dead area or an area unprotected by the oppositions boule. If the jack goes dead you score 4. Keep up we have explained that already! So you shoot the jack hoping to score 4 points. Remember you are already holding one point so this shot is to increase you tally in this end by 3 points. All clear so far? You miss the jack and so you shoot again. This shot will score you 3 points if the jack goes dead. That is because you will be left holding 3 boule. Good. Remember you are already holding one point so this shot is to increase your tally in this end by 2 points.

Has the maths kicked in yet?

You are playing a risky shot to score a couple of points. Risky? No one mentioned it was risky. Well your only boule in the head is 75mm away from the target jack. Surrounded by opposition boule. It does not take a genius to work out this is a risky shot. Hit your boule by mistake and the opposition are going to get a big score in the end.  NO! because you have lots of boule left. Yes I saw that reply coming and the answer is. The very reason you were shooting the jack is because pointing to the jack was difficult. Be prepared to drop a big score if you hit your boule out of the head.  A boule is approximately 74 mm diameter. The jack is 30mm diameter and your closest boule could be 72mm diameter. You only have to be 20mm off line from the jack to hit your boule. By coincidence 20mm off line misses the jack but hits your boule at an angle out of the head.

Petanque can be about taking chances to win a game but controlling the game will enable you to play your best boule. Taking the one will enable you to throw the jack and also put a point on your side of the score board. In a close game it is always about making the break on the scoreboard. A 3 or 4 point end maybe enough to win the game by putting your team ahead. It can be all about the early break, the middle of the game break rather than storming home with a 4 of 5 point end. Lots of teams play more defensive as the scores go past the 7 or 8 peg and taking a large scoring end at 4-4 could be the key to the win in a tight game.

Certainly, something to think about!