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 Help Index page for some suggestions.
Standard Bidding - Opening
A balanced hand is any hand that has a Short Point count of 2 or less (i.e. no more extreme than two doubletons).
Points 0 - 11
Pass
Points 12 - 17
Points 18 - 22 (or 8 playing tricks)
Points 20 - 22
Points 23 + (or 10 playing tricks)
Points 18-23
If the opposition have bid you should consider whether to Overcall.