Taking risks doesn't have to be a huge gamble with crippling losses should things go wrong. Starting small is acceptable. Trying something new. Doing something you've never done before can produce big rewards.
Many said coins like btc and doge were too big of a risk to bother with. Taking a small risk, being in the right place at the right time, can be a good way to get ahead.
The highest percentage of new millionaires and billionaires are those who took a risk with with mobile app, youtube career or some side project that guaranteed nothing. Apple started with 2 guys taking a risk building PCs in their garage. Google started with 2 college students taking a risk, running a search engine in their garage. Amazon started with Jeff Bezos taking a risk trying a business retail model no one had done before.
Very nice comment Hydrogen! Without risk, there's no gain, simple as that! Rich people have an advantage, as you say "the game is stacked against small people", so the only way to do something is to take a risk, and if you (as in some of your examples) have something to offer, and you are willing to work hard for that, to risk whatever it takes... maybe you can do something more and joining the "big guys club"!