Darts, Beers, & Cheers!

Chris Mason – an interview with Mace the Ace!

I’ve been lucky to be able to chat with a few of the big names in the PDC, and again is no exception, as I am proud to bring you the words of the super talented, Chris ‘Mace the Ace’ Mason.  If you’re new to PDC darts, you have probably seen Chris working on ITV as a pundit, but Chris is also a top darts pro himself, and is on a comeback, recent floor tournaments prove this – watch out world!

Q. Chris, I’ve seen you play some cracking games, and some terrible ones in recent years, and I’ve seen you take the p*ss out of your form when you’ve been a pundit on TV, when is Mace the Ace going to show us just how good you are again?

I think it started last Saturday with wins over some of the current PDC stars, wins over Klaasen, Webster, Anderson, Whitlock, Van Gerwen, if I produced that form on tv I would go close!

Q.  If 2010 is the year you ‘comeback’ – what are you doing differently to make it happen?

Climbing a mountain! http://www.justgiving.com/mounttoubkal2010 Im getting fit and prepared to so I can compete over the distance, I have stopped playing anything that is not serious darts so I can stay focused on the job in hand, this year is all about 2011 for me and being ready to compete at the highest level.

Q. Preparation; we hear about players turning up hours before a big match and getting on the practice board – what’s it like for you before a big televised game?  Do you prepare any differently for a floor tournament like the players championships when compared to a televised round in one of the big ‘majors’?

It’s been a while! The floor events are all about momentum and getting over the first round, I prepare for my first round as if it was a tv event and try to get to the venue for 9.00am so I have at least 3 hours to prepare, which is where the fitness comes in, if I do progress pass the first round a long day is on the cards and thats where you need the stamina.

Q.  There’s obviously a lot of travelling and nights in hotels when on the PDC tour, how do you spend the evenings between games?

I used to socialise and probably stay up to late, I now stay at home at every opportunity, my wife drives and as long as it’s no more than a couple of hours a nights sleep in my own bed is the priority, it also keeps me away from the bar!

Q. What’s your funniest or most memorable darts memory or story?

Alan Warriner came out with one of the funniest one liners, Ronnie baxter turned up at an event with a shaved head, as quick as a flash Alan said “I heard Ronnies bird likes to shave her fanny”

Q. What’s your view on the current state of the sport of darts and where the PDC has brought it?

It’s been just the most incredible turn around, the last 10 years have showed what should have or could have been done for the last 25, we have a great promotional team in Matchroom, and an incredible governing body in the PDC.

I think we now have more darts on TV than at any time in the past, with innovative events and fresh faces keeping the game excitng, just look at the recent Players Championships finals, Paul Nicholson emerged as a new star and now a proven winner.

Q. (and) Where do you see it in 10 years time?  Can it keep growing?

I think it can, and I also think we will get more coverage on mainstream television, there is a massive market to tap into worldwide, and this is only the tip of the iceberg.

Q. What does it take these days to be a professional on the PDC tour?  How would you advise any budding youngsters to make a go of it?

I would say establish yourself in the BDO first, learn your trade and gain the much needed experience to cope with playing in the PDC, be dedicated and live a good clean life, get plenty of sleep.

Q. You’ve had a reputation for being a bad boy of darts – is that all in the past now – as you appear to be ITV’s new star clean cut pundit?

I think I have matured, I no longer feel I am owed anything or deserve to win anything, I am still a little too outspoken but that’s just me.

Q. Speaking in front of hundreds of thousands of darts fans as a pundit/co-commentator – how nerve-wracking is it compared to standing on the oche throwing the darts – how do they compare?

I don’t get nervous at all doing the TV stuff, I really enjoy it and it’s my plan B when I retire from the darts.

Q.  You’re training hard for a Charity climb up a mountain – how did that come about?

I have always wanted to do something that would realy make a difference and when this opportunity came about I just couldnt say no, it started out as me doing some fudraising then the organiser heard I was getting fit and suggested why I dont do the climb aswell.

Q. (and) How is the training going, and do you think the actual climb could be good for you and your darts (these things are often seen as life changing, putting things in to perspective).

The training is really tough, I have managed to shift 20 ponuds in weight so far, I have a goal and really dont want to let any one down and thats my motivation to get as fit as possible.

Q. Tuesday’s PDC announcement regarding the new tournaments is quite a bombshell, and online forums are full of excitement / anger / speculation.  What’s your view on this – a smack down against the BDO and/or great news for darts in general?  How would it make you feel to be able to play ‘for England’ in the new PDC darts world cup?

Playing for England has been one of the proudest moments in my life, to get the chance to do it again would be amaizing.   As for the new events its yet again opening the doors for more players offering a once in a life time oppotunity, these events are free to enter, gonig to be run in a professional enviroment offering fabulous rewards, how can anyone see it as a negative?

Q. Other players; how do you get on with your fellow professionals – who would you call your best mates in the game?

I get on with everyone, doing the comms causes a few little rumbles but overall I would like to think I am pals with all the players.

Q. The future; if the comeback goes well, how far do you think you could go in the coming few years?

My main goal for this year is to get in the top 32.

Big thanks to Chris for answering my questions – another exclusive for this website    For more info about the climb and how to help raise money for Help for Heroes and the Climb Chris is making, visit http://chrismason.yolasite.com/