A method and apparatus for video coding including an IntraBC (Intra-block copy) mode for a picture according to the present invention is disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention take advantage of pattern symmetry in screen contents as well as natural video to improve the performance of IntraBC coding. Accordingly, at least a reference block is reformed to generate a reformed predictor and IntraBC coding is applied to a block using the reformed predictor. Reforming the reference block may correspond to applying a reforming operation selected from a reforming group to the reference block, where the reforming group consists of horizontal flipping, vertical flipping, horizontal and vertical flipping, clockwise rotation, counter-clockwise rotation and transposition.