Which is better: praying to the right or left of the Imam, and is the right side of the row better than the left?

If there is only one congregant (ma'mum), he stands to the right of the Imam, based on the hadith of Ibn Abbas. If there is more than one, they stand behind him. The left side of the row is better if the distance is close. However, if the right side is far, then the left side, being closer to the Imam, is better.