* Gravity is gravity: Black holes are incredibly dense objects with immense gravitational pull. This pull is what keeps planets in orbit around stars, and it would work the same way around a black hole.

* Stable orbits: While the gravitational pull is strong, it's not all-consuming. A planet can maintain a stable orbit around a black hole as long as its velocity is sufficient to balance the gravitational force.

* The event horizon: The event horizon is the point of no return around a black hole. Anything crossing the event horizon will be pulled in and can't escape. A planet in a stable orbit would remain outside the event horizon.

However, there are some key differences:

* The environment: The environment around a black hole is extremely harsh. There would be intense radiation and tidal forces, making life as we know it impossible.

* Orbital stability: The orbits of planets around a black hole are likely to be less stable than orbits around a star. The intense gravity and the presence of other objects could disrupt the orbit, potentially leading to the planet being pulled into the black hole.

* Observational challenges: It's incredibly difficult to observe planets orbiting black holes due to the extreme conditions around them.

In conclusion: While planets can orbit black holes, it's a very different scenario from orbiting a star. The extreme environment and the challenges of observing such objects make it a challenging and intriguing area of study.