4-4-3-2 refers to that shape but does not identify the length of any individual suit. 4=4=3=2 means precisely four spades, four hearts, three diamonds, and two clubs.
“HCP” means “high card points”.
“RHO” means “right hand opponent”. “LHO” means “left hand opponent”.
“NS” means “North-South”. “EW” means “East-West”.
“Favorable” means that the opponents are vulnerable and you are not; “unfavorable” means the opposite.
In the discussion (but never in the deal diagrams), spot cards that aren’t relevant to your decisions occasionally are represented by x’s.
We rotate deals so that South is always declarer, but we don’t alter any of the 52 cards. However, the auction may not be from our table.