Help finishing my first project???

im not much of a woodworker... this is my first project ever.
I recently built a poker table top... im still looking for a pedestal to put it on.

Anyway, I have stained it "Rosewood" using Minwax... a small bottle which I rubbed on with a rag, let sit for 3-5 minutes, then rubbed off.

I bought a gallon of Polyurethane for 20 bucks and was going to begin applying in tomorrow morning but i have been reading some mixed opinions of it on these forums.

Could someone here help me decide how to finish this project?

The table is made of pine and there is a little routering on the edge which the stain really worked itself into... doubt that makes a difference though.

So should I use polyurethane to finish it or something else?
And what are the important steps to take?
(i dont understand much of the lingo used here like "goes off", cutting, etc. so please speak to me like im a newbie :o )

Thank you in advance!
I appreciate your time and look forward to your reply.
-SeFu

BTW, heres a link to a thread showing my poker tabke project so you can see how it looks and where im going with it.

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...ad.php?t=11266

poly is artesonable finish and unlike some of the arty farty finishes (like wax and oil) it seals moiusture out of the timber thus timber movement is minimised. But be prepared to give it several thin coats rubbed back with 120 wet and dry between coats.