Initial deal that comes through personal experience (5,4)

I believe the answer is:

first hand

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'comes through personal experience' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'initial deal' is the wordplay.
'initial' becomes 'first' (similar in meaning).
'deal' becomes 'hand' (synonyms).
'first'+'hand'='FIRST-HAND'

'that' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for first hand that I've seen before include "directly" , "Direct" , "leading seaman?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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