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 Responing to 1 No Trump
Balanced Hand
Points 0 - 7
Pass.
Points: 8 - 9
Bid 2NT inviting your partner to bid 3 if they hold a maximum.
Points: 10 -15 (weaker no trump); 10 - 14 (stronger no trump)
Bid 3NT expecting your partner to pass.
Points: 16 - 17 (weaker no trump); 15 - 16 (stronger no trump)
Bid 4NT inviting your partner to bid a slam with a maximum
Points: 18+ (weaker no trump); 17 - 20+ (stronger no trump)
Bid 6NT.
Points: 22+ (weaker no trump); 21+ (stronger no trump)
Bid 7NT if you hold all of the aces.
All of the above bids contain an element of risk and rely on average distribution of cards and points. You might prefer to be more cautious with the higher levels of bidding by trying a suit bid then using a slam convention (but you risk your partner passing your bid!).
Unbalanced Hand
Points 0 - 5
Pass (unless you have a very unbalanced hand and a long suit (6+ cards) then try the suit at the 2 level, but be prepared for trouble).
Points: 6 - 9 (weaker no trump); 6 - 7 (stronger no trump)
Bid your best (preferably 5 card or more) suit at the 2 level, expecting your partner to pass.
Points: 10 + (weaker no trump); 8 + (stronger no trump) and a 5+ card suit
Bid 3 of the suit inviting game in the suit or no trump.
Points: 10 - 11 (weaker no trump); 9 - 10 (strong no trump) and a 6+ card major suit
Bid 4 of the suit (game).
Points: 13 - 14 (weaker no trump); 11- 13 (stronger no trump) and a 6+ card minor suit
Bid 5 of the suit (game).
Stayman
An alternative to the suit bids above is to use the Stayman convention.