he began his career in the british darts organisation, making his world championship debut at the 1996 bdo world championship. he lost 0–3 to andy fordham. after joining the world darts council in 1996, mason competed in the 1996 world matchplay, losing to alan warriner. in october 1996, mason reached the final of the sky sports world pairs partnered by steve raw, where they were narrowly beaten by phil taylor and bob anderson. mason then competed in the 1997 wdc world championship, where he lost 1–3 to gerald verrier and 0–3 to taylor in the group stage.