It's really not a question of how much effort is involved in learning - MAKING a stick of hardwood (or softwood) flat is one thing.

KEEPING it flat is another. Wood is hygroscopic (it absorbs moisture - including moisture from the air). As temperature and humidity change, the amount of moisture in the wood changes. The rate at which moisture enters or leaves the wood will vary from one side of the board to the other (depending on exposure to air and light, the finish applied, etc.) - which is what causes warping.

If you can't completely stabilize temperature and humidity into very narrow ranges (much narrower than what is normal in a home), boards will warp over time.

One simple way to make a table top that will remain stable is to use what is often called a farm table style. The boards running the length of the table are dadoed (or mortised) into the cross boards at each end.

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1961 220b: first project car - sold.
2000 CLK 430: first modern Benz - sold.
2001 CLK 55: OMG the torque!!! - sold
1972 280SE 4.5: Baby Gustav
1991 300TE 4Matic: Gretel the Snow Bunny - sold
1978 300SD: Katz the Free Man - given away
1980 Redhead: Darling Wife