These Help pages can be downloaded here with the Winning Bridge Shareware game for Microsoft Windows 95+.
If you would rather read a book, take a look at the Acol Bidding page for some suggestions.
Acol Opening - Balanced Hand
A balanced hand is any hand that has a Short Point count of 2 or less (i.e. no more extreme than two doubletons).
Less than 20 points
Weak no trump:12 - 14 points bid 1 No Trump
15 or more points bid your longest suit (bid no trumps on your next bid).
Strong no trump:15 - 17 points bid 1 No Trump
12 - 14 points bid your longest suit ( bid no trumps on your next bid).
18 - 19 points bid your longest suit (jump bid no trumps on your next bid).
Very Strong No Trump:16 - 18 points bid 1 No Trump
12 - 15 points bid an opening suit ( bid no trumps on your next bid).
18 - 19 points bid an opening suit (jump bid no trumps on your next bid).
20 - 22 points
Bid 2 No Trump.
More than 22
Bid 2C (or 2D Benjamin).