SQL - Filtering large tables with joins - best practices

I have a table with a lot of data and I need to join it with some other large tables.

Only a small portion of my table is actually relevant for me each time.

When is it best to filter my data?

1. In the where clause of the SQL.

2. Create a temp table with the specific data and only then join it.

3. Add the predicate to the first inner join ON clause.

4. Some other idea.

1.

Select * 
From RealyBigTable
Inner Join AnotherBigTable On …
Inner Join YetAnotherBigTable On …
Where RealyBigTable.Type = ?

2.

Select * 
Into #temp
From RealyBigTable
Where RealyBigTable.Type = ?

Select * 
From #temp
Inner Join AnotherBigTable On …
Inner Join YetAnotherBigTable On …

3.

Select * 
From RealyBigTable
Inner Join AnotherBigTable On RealyBigTable.type = ? And … 
Inner Join YetAnotherBigTable On …

Another question: What happens first? Join or Where?