"Burn card" is a term used in card games, most commonly in poker, referring to a playing card which is dealt from the top of the deck and "burned" (i.e. discarded and unused by the players); the practice of card burning is frequently utilized in casinos to cut down on cheating.
Before making his Debut appearance as Detective Kevin Bernard, Anthony Anderson first made his debut filling in for Olivia Benson as Detective Lucius Blaine on Fat (2006). This was a one time appearance prior to his debut on this episode of Law & Order.
This episode appears to be based on two separate cases:
- The 2008 David D'aloia/James O'Hara case.
- The 2007 NBA betting scandal involving Tim Donaghy.
Ruben Santiago-Hudson has played four different roles over the course of the series:
- Episode 1.11 Out of the Half-Light (1990) - Mr. Gaines.
- Episode 5.6 Competence (1994) - Detective Brian Keene.
- Episode 9.12 Haven (1999) - Defense Attorney Winters.
- Episode 11.18 White Lie (2001) - Defense Attorney Winters.
- Episode 14.6 Identity (2003) - Dr. Paul Jackson.
- Episode 18.14 Burn Card (2008) - Defense Attorney Winters.