[grumbelbart2]

There is a static branch predictor that is used if there is no statistic on a branching instruction yet, and it's really simple: Jumps backward are assumed to be taken (they usually are from a loop), jumps forward are assumed to be not taken.

So the jump that forms the loop will be predicted correctly for all executions but the very last (when the loop ends).

[Panzer04]

That's very cute.

I wonder how much more complicated and effective statistical predictors are.

[hyperhello]

They get much more complicated, but their effectiveness tops out where certain branches just can’t be predicted in advance.