Check your email. I hear there's some great stock tips there

Seriously speaking - and from a Canuck perspective - I would generally echo what Warpe says. I started at about the same age as you, Hubris, and decided to invest via mutual funds. You will need a pretty sizable wad to make a diversified stock portfolio, and unlike poker, busting out in your savings is a major suck.

If you only have a few thousand dollars what you'll end up doing is tantamount to coming to a poker table with a 20% buyin and pushing something like KTo. Don't do it.

I had a friend recommend me this site a few years ago:

www.fool.com

Don't know if it's still any good.