Question: Do I leave my tiles up on the flat part of my rack after my hand is declared dead?

Answer:

When a hand is declared dead, how exposures are handled depends on whether the hand was exposed or concealed:

Exposed Hand:
If a hand is declared dead and the player had exposures, only the exposure(s) that caused the hand to be declared dead are returned to the rack. Any exposures made prior to the error—especially those containing Jokers—remain exposed and those Jokers are still available for exchange.

Concealed Hand:
If a hand is declared dead on a concealed hand and tiles were exposed in error, all tiles are returned to the rack (slanted portion). No Jokers are available for exchange.

Why this matters:
These procedures help eliminate confusion about which Jokers remain eligible for exchange and ensure fairness and clarity for all players.

Source: Mah Jongg Made Easy 2024, page 22, #4(b)