No, ICM knowledge is not required to beat the low stakes SNGs... but it helps!
Firstly I guess you have to define what "SNG Success" means and that is really down to the individual.
My dad plays the $1 SNGs on Stars and his definition of success is to enjoy himself and cash, maybe even win (maybe...
). On the other end of the scale you have the 24 tabling grinders, who even in the low stakes play enough volume to substitute their winnings for a wage. Success for them is maintaining their $/hr and maybe giving themselves the option to increase in stakes. Other players have success in playing 1 or 2 regular SNGs at a time and generally have a nice ROI and play SNGs mainly for recreation or a change from their cash or MTT grind. They are successful and maintain a profit off SNGs which steadily builds up their rolls.
Ok there is a lot of grey between these 3 examples, I multi-table the tubos but do so for recreation and the challenge rather than to live off, but the point is "Success" is a very individual thing.
If you are happy playing a couple of the lower stakes tables, especially in the regular SNGs, where you can take your time, get reads and play "real" poker, then you don't need ICM and you can be a success. However especially if you intend on increasing up the stakes, playing the Turbos or to play SNGs in any kind of volume to get meaningful cash or measure of results, knowledge of ICM is a must.
There are two reasons for this: a) The information is out there about ICM, many players are adopting it and more tools are coming out to make the math easier to do. b) Using ICM correctly is unexploitable. This means that NO MATTER what you're opponents do, as long as you apply the principles correctly, they CANNOT get an edge over you.
Many of the very high games ($1k and $2k) SNGs have now dried up because nobody really has that big an edge over each other anymore. Players who play these now are mainly relying on rakeback or loyalty programs to provide their profit.
This is getting long and Mark has a ton of info over on SNG Planet on ICM for anyone who wants to know more, so I will finish by saying that if your aim is to become a strong and consistant SNG player then ICM knowledge is not just required but essential!
