This invention decodes coefficient magnitudes in compressed video data using a selected context and speculatively decodes a coefficient sign. The next context selection depends upon a number of iterations. This invention confirms the speculatively decoded coefficient sign upon completion of the magnitude decode. This invention operates in a loop until reaching the number of significant coefficients within the block. The method exits the loop and decodes an escape code if an iteration count is greater than a predetermined number. An embodiment of this invention collects both a count up and a count down in an escape code decode in one loop. An embodiment of this invention estimates the number of significant coefficients in a block and selects the inventive or a prior art decode.