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.
Standard 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
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 to 18 points bid 1 No Trump.
12 - 15 points bid your longest suit ( bid no trumps on your next bid).
19 points bid your longest suit (jump bid no trumps on your next bid).
20 - 22 points
Bid 2 No Trump.
More than 22
Bid 2C (or 2D Benjamin).