I'm new at this. I've tried smoothing fondant on a round cake, butg I'm getting pleats... any tips? Thanks so much!

This will give you a visual:
http://www.wilton.com/decorating/fondant/rolled-fondant.cfm

pleats are very frustrating aren't they! I usually put cake on turntable then lay fondant over the cake and smooth the top a little to get any air bubbles out (from centre to edges) Make sure your fondant isn't too thin, it will be easier to get it pleat free. Now I go round the edges and kind of hook a finger or two under the edge with one hand, pulling out away from the cake sligtly, lightly smoothing down the side of the cake with the other hand, from the top down. Then move along and go round the cake, doing the same thing. You will find its possible to smooth out the pleats in this way, by pulling the fondant out and smoothing down. You will find that you are able to ease any creases or pleats out this way. then trim up the excess round the cake (0r cake board, I usually ice the cake and board all in one go!), then use your cake smoother top first, then sides. HTH and good luck!

oh, sorry for repeating myself a bit in my post, that's what you get after spending a long day with small boys

I find that it helps to elevate the cake on top of something smaller before I lay the fondant.

I agree with JoJo, I struggled with fondant pleats for the longest time, until I learned to gently pull the fondant out & away from the cake as I smoothed it down, and now I rarely have a problem with pleats.

I'm with Rylan...I usually put my cakes on top of a Crisco can so that the fondant drapes/hangs down a good bit.

Here is a video on covering a round cake...hope this helps!

I just ordered Sugarshacks Flawless Fondant DVD. I have honestly been scared to try fondant, but I decided it was time to at learn. Her Perfecting the Art of Buttercream DVD was so incrediblty informative and helpful to me I figured her instruction was the way to go.

lol wow she really chucks the cake and icing about in that video, I wish I was the confident and quick to cover a cake like that!