A 1NT opening requires between 15 and 17 high card points and a balanced hand. More specifically, with the correct point range, 1NT should always be opened with 4-3-3-3, 4-4-3-2, or 5-3-3-2 with a long minor. It is optional (depending on partnership agreement) to open 1NT with 5-3-3-2 and a long major, 5-4-2-2 with 2 spades and 4 hearts, or 6-3-2-2 with a long minor. A 2NT opening requires 20 to weak 22 points with a balanced hand, or with a five-card major, six-card minor or five-four distribution with a five-card minor. It does not require the doubleton to be stopped.