In the past I’ve written an annual column. This year I’ve done a two-parter.

As my readers undoubtedly know, hands worthy of an opening bid can be bracketed. These days there’s more upgrading and downgrading, with revaluation based on more than high-card points.

The process impacts 1NT openers. I’m calling my column The Guideline of 16 because all the NoTrump hands featured are 16-pointers. They are the most difficult to evaluate, especially when partner invites a 3NT contract. Not all 16-point hands are created equal; some are better than others. Some hands are worth an upgrade, while others should be downgraded.

Originally, opening one-bids fit into three categories:

Minimum (first bracket): 13-15 points

Medium (second bracket): 16-18 points

Maximum (third bracket): 19-21 points

The ranges were neatly divided into three-point ranges, with the 1NT usually 16-18 points. With changing times opening bids have become lighter. It’s common to open 12-point hands and even shapely 11-pointers. The popular range for 1NT is now 15-17 and trending lower. The ranges have become more complex:

Minimum (first bracket): 12-15 (16)

Medium (second bracket) (16) 17-18 points

Maximum (third bracket): 19-21 points

As you can see, 16-point hands are ambivalent, ranging from minimum to medium strength (hence the parentheses). How do we make the distinction?

First, distinguish between hands heavy in aces and kings versus holdings with queens and jacks. In general, hands with most of their points in aces and kings are undervalued, so upgrade them. If most of your points come from queens and jacks (“quacks”), downgrade.

Second, hope your honors are in long suits rather than short suits. Honors in long suits help you develop extra tricks. Short-suit honors minimize trick-taking.

Third, look for honors working together in long suits (AK, KQ, QJ, J10). They lend solidity to the suits, enhancing trick-taking potential.

Fourth, intermediate cards, especially 10s and 9s, contribute to long suits: K Q 10 9 X X has a lot going for it.

Fifth, distribution can be a plus or minus. The worst shape for a 16-pointer is 4-3-3-3. You have no ruffing values in a suit contract and probably can’t find much of a fit with partner. Fits of 4-4-3-2 are better and 5-3-3-2 are optimal (I would open 1NT with a five-card major.)

Sixth, as the auction proceeds, it will be clear whether to play a hand in NoTrump or a suit contract. At some point you or partner may invite a game or slam. But first, consider the evaluation points I’ve made above. They especially apply to invitational raises after an opening bid of 1NT.

Next week’s column will put these considerations to the test, when we are confronted with some challenging hands.