These Help pages can be downloaded here with the Winning Bridge Shareware game for Microsoft Windows 98, ME, 2000 and XP.
If you would rather read a book, take a look at the Help Index page for some suggestions.
Second Bid - Partner Bid a New Suit
When the partner of the opener responds with a new suit it shows a good hand. If the player also jumps it shows an excellent hand. A change of suit requires the opener to bid again.
With 4 or more cards in responder's suit the opener should bid that suit. With a minimum hand (up to 16 points) raise one level, with 16 -18 points raise two levels with more than 18 points bid game. It will be the responder's decision whether to proceed further.
If the opener cannot support responder's suit they should:
weak hand (12 - 15 points):
bid a second suit at the lowest level but not higher than the 2 level
rebid their first suit.
if all suits are controlled (ace, king or 4 or more cards with no voids or singletons)
try no trumps at the lowest level
medium hand (16 - 18 points):
bid a new suit
jump rebid a 6 or more card opening suit
if all suits are controlled (ace, king or 4 or more cards with no voids or singletons)
bid 3 no trump
strong hand (19 - 22 points):
jump bid a new suit
if responder bid at the 1 level and all suits are controlled
bid 3 no trump
With a balanced hand but points that are higher than the range for a no trump option, you could bid no trumps at a level that indicates how many extra points (2 - 4 bid at current level, 5-7 at current level + 1, etc.) you have (but not higher than the three level) .