What’s body language have to do with betting the World Series? Dave Bontempo explains it all, and shares how in-game bets are like betting on the stock market.

With the Washington Nationals and the Houston Astros on the World Series stage, the time is long past for a big payout to the champs.

Maybe you took a stab back in August, when we suggested a bet on the Nats to win it all. They were more than 20-1 at that time. The first line on this had Houston as slightly more than a 2-1 favorite for the Series.

Make your first sportsbook deposit at ResortsCasino.com, and match it by 100% up to $250 in bonus dollars. iGamingPlayer.com offers the best signup bonuses for ResortsCasino.com.

Keep in mind before you bet:

1. In recent years, the OVER bet has hit on at least one of the first two games.
2. In-game betting brings a big element into play. Generous payouts await when you have a hunch on a team just “out of the money,” say, trailing by three runs late in the game when the in-game alternate line is +2.5 for them. If that team scores and still loses the game by two runs, you often see payouts better than 2-to-1. The bet must be made before a team rallies, like buying a stock that’s down before it rises. If you wait until they have a couple runners on base in an inning, for instance, the odds shrink dramatically. Timing is everything.

Make your first sportsbook deposit at CaesarsCasino.com, and Caesars will match your first sports bet 100% up to $300. iGamingPlayer.com offers the best signup bonuses for CaesarsCasino.com.

3. Watch the body language of hitters early in the game. Are they patient on counts? Are they swinging out of the strike zone? If they look impatient, the team might be pressing and will have difficulty scoring if you’re thinking in-game.
4. The usual mantra of an overworked bullpen creating a big scoring game the next day may not work now. Teams have countless relievers ready to go an inning or two.

Key variables: the Astros have been here before, while the Nationals are playing with karma, entering the series on an incredible 18-3 run.