MEXICO – A little bit of Texas will two-step into Mexico this winter when the Mexico Lions Club tips its collective hands.

The 41-year-old nonprofit organization plans to deal the public in on several Texas Hold ’em poker tournaments, the first on Dec. 2 for a maximum of 60 people, and another on Jan. 13 for up to 100 people.

“We can only have one every six weeks, but we’re planning to hold several,” club President Jim Theriault said late Thursday afternoon.

Normally, the club, which was chartered in 1966 and has 16 members, according to its Web site, conducts fundraising activities like a rifle raffle at the Farmington fair, an ice-fishing derby in February, toll bridges and bike rodeos to pay for its charitable programs.

Among other things, the Lions help people with eye-care and hearing difficulties.

Until new member Matt Gallant of Mexico recently suggested trying Texas Hold ’em poker tournaments as fundraisers, Theriault said the club didn’t realize it could hold gambling events.

That’s because the club hadn’t used its game-of-chance license that it got from the state during the 1980s since 1992.

Due to that period of non-use, it has to prove to the Maine State Police Gaming Commission, which doles out games-of-chance permits and licenses, that it’s been active since 1992, Theriault said.

The club must also get approval from selectmen and apply for a game-of-chance permit from the state every time it wants to convene a poker tournament.

Selectmen unanimously gave their blessing for the December and January events at Wednesday night’s meeting when Theriault, who is also Mexico’s police chief, broached the topic, speaking during public discussion as Lions president.

For each tournament, the club has to submit $5 per player to the state. Additionally, 75 percent of the take must go to players as prize money; the other 25 percent is the Lions’ share.

“Twenty-five percent of what we make will be donated to the Mexico Rec Center and we will use our money for when people ask us for donations and for donations to Boys State or Girls State, and such,” Theriault said.

The entry fee for the first event in December is $80. The Lions are also offering a free catered meal from Maddy’s Pizza of Mexico for the first tournament, Theriault added.

Previously housed in the Rumford Eagles Club, the Lions moved this month into the Mexico Recreation Center, where the Mexico Police Department is also housed.