This is a detailed topic, but basically you have to expect to lose all your money, and if you want to be serious about it (with a better expected value) you have to do a lot of deals over a long period of time.
That being said, you have to start somewhere, and the best way to do that is to co-invest with people. I would meet local angels and hook up with them.
OK, co-investing makes sense. And by "risky" I meant more of losing time and nerve cells rather than money (which is an inherent risk), but I guess these are connected.
Well not necessarily. A lot of people are completely passive. They write checks and never look back. I'm way more high touch and like to be involved, and so the time constraints are more significant.
That being said, you have to start somewhere, and the best way to do that is to co-invest with people. I would meet local angels and hook up with them.