diff --git a/public/src/games/blackjack/BlackjackGame.js b/public/src/games/blackjack/BlackjackGame.js
index bb7e127..ae41fa0 100644
--- a/public/src/games/blackjack/BlackjackGame.js
+++ b/public/src/games/blackjack/BlackjackGame.js
@@ -754,14 +754,17 @@ export default class BlackjackGame extends Phaser.Scene {
   }
 
   animateDeal(onComplete) {
-    // Deal in play order (top-right, clockwise): each player card 1, dealer upcard,
-    // each player card 2, dealer hole.
+    // Deal order: dealer hole card (face-down), each player card 1,
+    // dealer upcard (face-up), each player card 2.
     const seats = PLAY_ORDER.filter(seat => this.gs.players[seat]?.active);
     const dealSeq = [];
+    dealSeq.push({ type: 'dealer', cardIdx: 1 }); // hole card face-down first
     for (const seat of seats) dealSeq.push({ type: 'player', seat, cardIdx: 0 });
-    dealSeq.push({ type: 'dealer', cardIdx: 0 }); // upcard
+    dealSeq.push({ type: 'dealer', cardIdx: 0 }); // upcard face-up
     for (const seat of seats) dealSeq.push({ type: 'player', seat, cardIdx: 1 });
-    dealSeq.push({ type: 'dealer', cardIdx: 1 }); // hole card
+
+    // Build card graphics now (hands are populated but graphics weren't created yet)
+    this.renderAll();
 
     // Hide all cards initially
     for (const cards of Object.values(this.cardGraphics)) {