Systems and methods for optimizing system performance in variable length decoding systems are described. Embodiments are described in which decode tables are analyzed and elements of the tables sorted by probability of occurrence. Storage of elements can be determined by probability of occurrence and embodiments of the present invention can optimize system efficiency by storing most likely entries into fast-memory and least likely entries in slowest memory. In certain embodiments, a single large table is provided that cannot fit into decoder fast-memory. In some embodiments, individual elements can be optimized for storage in fast-memory by selecting more frequently occurring entries or groups of entries into decoder memory.