MySQL Rank in the Case of Ties

Question

I need some help dealing with ties when ranking in MySQL. For example:

PLAYER | POINTS

• Mary: 90
• Bob: 90
• Jim: 65

Answer 1

Assuming name is unique

SELECT t1.name, (SELECT COUNT(*) FROM table_1 t2 WHERE t2.score > t1.score) +1
AS rnk
FROM table_1 t1

Answer 2

SELECT players.*, COUNT(higher_ranking.id) + 1 AS rank
    FROM players
    LEFT JOIN players AS higher_ranking
        ON higher_ranking.points > players.points
    GROUP BY players.id

On Postgres, you could use window functions RANK() to achieve this, which is much nicer. I don't know of anything like that for MySQL.