1. A method for predicting a mode value of a block of an image using one of an encoder and a decoder, the method comprising: receiving, by a processor, mode values for a predetermined number of neighboring blocks of the image, the predetermined number being at least two, a mode being a block classification that informs a decoder module of a predictive strategy to use for the block, each mode value falling within a range of integer values; using a probability table, by the processor, to compute a probability of each mode value in the range of integers being selected given the mode values for each neighboring block, the probability table having a first axis comprising every integer value within the range of integer values, and second axis comprising combinations of the neighboring blocks, each combination of the neighboring blocks representing a binary determination whether or not each neighboring block of the predetermined number of neighboring blocks is equal to a corresponding integer value on the first axis, the probability table being populated by probabilities that the mode value of the block is equal to the corresponding integer value on the first axis; selecting a mode value for the block, by the processor, based on the computed probabilities of each mode value in the range of integers being selected; and coding the selected mode value, by the processor, using an entropy coder.