Learn Russian: В случае если у вас будут затруднения, мы дадим две подсказки. - In the event that you have difficulties, we will give two hints.

While если just means "if", в случае если translates to "in the event that" or "in case". It sounds a bit more formal and is often used when making contingencies, like in instructions, contracts, or customer support.

Since the lesson covers both structures, could I drop the word если and just say в случае у вас будут затруднения?

No, because в случае by itself must be followed directly by a noun in the Genitive case (for example, в случае затруднений - in case of difficulties). Since you are introducing a full clause with its own verb (у вас будут), you must use the conjunction в случае если to connect it.

Why is the verb будут in the plural here?

In the Russian "to have" construction (у вас будут...), the thing you possess acts as the grammatical subject. Because затруднения (difficulties) is plural, the verb "to be" must match it and take the plural future form будут.

Why do we say две подсказки instead of два подсказки?

The number two has different forms depending on the noun's gender. Because the noun подсказка (hint) is feminine, you have to use the feminine number две. After two, three, or four, the noun takes the genitive singular form, resulting in две подсказки.