1. A method for encoding a video sequence in a video encoder to generate a compressed video bit stream, the method comprising: entropy encoding syntax elements representative of transform coefficients generated as the video sequence is processed in the video encoder, wherein entropy encoding syntax elements includes: binarizing the syntax elements representative of a transform coefficient to generate a plurality of binary symbols (bins); coding a portion of the plurality of bins in a context coding mode; and coding a remaining portion of the plurality of bins in a bypass coding mode; the method further comprising: counting a number of transform coefficients that have been entropy coded; and reducing a number of bins that are coded in the context coding mode for each transform coefficient in a plurality of subsequent transform coefficients that are entropy encoded based on the counted number of transform coefficients that have been entropy encoded.